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THE 

CATECHUMEN'S AND COMMUNICANT'S 

COMPANION, 

FOR THE USE OF YOUNG PERSONS 

OF THE 

LUTHERAN CHURCH, 

RECEIVING INSTRUCTION PREPARATORY TO 

CONFIRMATION AND THE LORD'S SUPPER. 

BY JOHN a. MORRIS, D. D. 

pastor of JFiwt HSnglfsfj Hutfitran Cfmrcfj, Baltimore. 



Third Edition, Revised and Corrected. 



BALTIMORE: 

PUBLISHED AND SOLD BY T. NEWTON KURTZ, 

No. 151 West Pratt Street. 

1854. 






E^* , l , EEED, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand 
eight hundred and fif y-four, by T. Newton Kurtz, in the Clerks 
Office of the District Court of the United States for the District of 
Majryland. 




&S5BWOOD & Co. PRINTERS. 



PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. 



This little Manual, which was first prepared ill 
my ministerial boyhood, and of which two editions 
were printed in the short space of two years, has 
been frequently called for since, but not a copy 
could be procured. Twenty years ago it was 
highly recommended to the churches by some of 
our most valued ministers in a printed address, and 
the presumption is that those of them still living, 
yet retain the same opinion of its merits. The 
best evidence, however, of the esteem in which it 
has been held, is the sale of two large editions and 
the regular demand for it ever since. I have often 
been solicited to republish it, but have never coifc- 
sented until now. 

Though the title of the book declares it to be de- 
signed for the young, yet those far advanced hi 
years have also been profited by its use. It will 
serve to prepare them also for the Sacred Com- 



IV PREFACE. ^ 

munion, and excite a spirit of devotion which 
perhaps might not be so intense without such 
a help. 

No essential alteration has been made in this 
edition, and it is now sent forth into the church 
with the hope that it will do much good. 

JOHN G. MORRIS. 

Baltimore, Juno, 1S54. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER. PAGE. 

I. General Reflections on Confirmation 9 

II. Meditation before- the Instructions begin. ... 15 

III. Meditation before every hour of Instruction 21 

IV. Meditation after the hour of Instruction... . 24 
V. Meditation ^ at the end of the Instruction. 

(Recapitulation. 27 

VI. Confessions of sins, and resolutions of obe- 
dience to God - e . . 40 

VII. The day of Confirmation 45 

VIII. Morning Prayer on the day of Confirmation. 49 

IX. Prayer for my fellow Cabechumens. 51 

X. '^Meditations before going to be Confirmed. . 54 

XI. Return from Confirmation .57 

XII. Evening Prayer on the day of Confirmation, 60 

XIII. Baptism. 62 

XIV. When the notice of the Communion is pub- 

licly given 67 

XV. The founder of the Holy Supper 70 

XVI. Institution of the Lord's Supper 78 

XVII. Preparatory Reflections. Jesus in Gethse- • 

mane •. 85 

XVIII. Jesus on Calvary 95 



VI CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER. PAGE. 

XIX. Design of the Lord's Supper .....103 

XX. Doctrine of the Lord's Supper Ill 

XXL Blessing of the Lord in the Holy Supper 120 
XXII. What must the Christion do when he 
desires to partake of the blessings 
of the Holy Supper 124 

XXIII. Upon the excuses for not going to the 

Lord's Supper. . ••• .135 

XXIV. Helps for Self-Exarnination 146 

XXV. Confession of Sins preparatory to receiv- 
ing the Holy Sacrament 157 

XXVI. Prayer before the Sacrament of the 

Lord's Supper 161 

Meditation of a young Christian upon going to the 

table for the first time ♦ . . . .166 

fXXVIl.|For a communicant in spiritual distress 169 

XXVIII. Morning prayer on Communion Day.. . . .174 

Prayer before receiving the Holy Sacrament. ..... .178 

Communion. • .173 

Thanksgiving and Prayer after the Sacrament of 

the Lord's Supper 179 

Ejaculations after Communion 182 

Meditation for Sunday evening, after receiving the 

Lord's Supper 187 

Morning and evening Prayers for every day in the 

Week. . . . . 194 



CONTENTS. VII 

PAGE. 

A Prayer under grievous Pains. .241 

A Prayer under dangerous sickness . . . . '. 243 

A Prayer under lingering sickness 247 

Thanksgiving and Prayer after recovery out of a 

dangerous sickness • . .249 

Prayer for Preparation to die* 253 

Prayer under Fears and Doubts of our spiritual Con- 
dition , 275 

The convinced Sinner's Prayer 215 

A Prayer for the enlargement and prosperity of the 
Church ,265 



COMPANION 

FOE CATECHUMENS AND COMMUNICANTS. 

CHAPTEK I. 
General Reflections on Confirmation. 

The eventful period is fast approaching 
when I am to renew my baptismal vow in 
the solemn rite of Confirmation. It is an 
important period, which I anticipate with 
much pleasure, and yet not without a se- 
cret holy dread. I will now devoutly med- 
itate upon the object of this sacred rite, 
and study to understand its nature clearly, 
that I may ascertain what benefit it can 
afford me, and the obligations it imposes 
upon me. 

When I was an infant, I was baptized 
in the name of the Father, Son and Holy 
Ghost I was then bound to have myself 
instructed as soon as I arrived at a proper 
age — to dedicate myself to Jesus Christ, 
my Saviour, and to devote myself to the 
2 



10 catechumen's and 

service of God. I then also received a 
promise from my merciful Father, that he 
would acknowledge meas his child, gra- 
ciously provide for my body and soul, grant 
me all the privileges of a Christian, and 
finally crown me with everlasting life. 

When I took these obligations upon 
myself I was yet a child. The faculties of 
my soul were not yet cultivated, and I did 
not comprehend the nature of these things, 
But I grew- up, and the joowers of my 
body and soul began to develop and to 
strengthen. I became capable of instruc- 
tion, and was taught that I had been bap- 
tized in my infancy — that solemn obliga- 
tions had been laid upon me, and that I 
had received a promise from my heavenly 
Father. 

In the progress of my instruction, I 
learned to know the God to whom I had 
been dedicated in my earliest childhood, 
and who always manifested his loving 
kindness to me. By degrees, I learned 
more and more of this benevolent Being, 
and was instructed in the knowledge of 



communicant's companion. 11 

his Son Jesus Christ, who died to ransom 
us from eternal ruin. And now (blessed 
be a kind providence, which has hitherto 
preserved me !) I have arrived at an age, 
when it would be my own fault, and ren- 
der me highly culpable, if I did not pos- 
sess a complete knowledge of every thing 
the Holy Bible teaches us respecting Gocl 
and divine things. 

From this I can easily perceive the ob- 
ject of my Confirmation. What I have 
learned and believed, I must now profess. 
It is true that an omniscient God does not 
need a profession from me ; he knows al- 
ready what I believe, and sees the thoughts 
of my inmost soul ; but my fellow Chris- 
tians, amongst whom I was baptized and 
educated, have a right to demand that I, 
who have enjoyed so many Christian pri- 
vileges amongst them, should profess my 
Christian faith, embrace the gospel of 
Christ as the rule of my conduct, acknowl- 
edge my conviction that Jesus came from 
heaven, as the only begotten Son of God, 
to redeem us from the curse and condemna- 



12 catechumen's and 

tion of the law; that his doctrine is the only 
certain way to eternal happiness; that I am 
determined to practice the precepts of 
Jesus and conform my life, as far as I can, 
by divine assistance, to his spotless exam- 
ple. Besides all this, does not the grati- 
tude I owe to Gi-od for his past mercies de- 
mand, that I publicly make this profession 
to his honor and glory ? 

But there is another consideration which 
I must not overlook. In my baptism I was 
dedicated to Christ as his property, and 
thus solemnly obligated to serve him and 
the Father who sent him into the world. 
True, this occurred when I was unconscious 
of it, but in the progress of years, my ob- 
ligations, their import and immense im- 
portance were impressed upon me. Is it 
not reasonable that I should now, after 
having learned these things, openly ac- 
knowledge the whole extent of my obliga- 
tions, and solemnly renew them before the 
omniscient Gi-od? that I should sincerely 
promise before him, who has always 
evinced so much love towards me, that I 



communicant's companion. 13 

will never, by his gracious help, indulge 
any sinful inclination, or desire, but that I 
will spend the remainder of my days in his 
service, and yield implicit obedience to his 
laws and precepts ? 

If I enter into this engagement with 
God with a sincere heart, and an unwav- 
ering determination to perform all my du- 
ties, then the gracious promise that he 
gave me at my baptism will be renewed ; 
he will be my Grod, and will provide for 
my body and soul ; conduct and guard me 
through the journey of my life — grant 
me strength in my struggle against sin, 
and if I continue to be faithful he will 
finally introduce me into that happy king- 
dom which he has prepared for them that 
love him. 

It is this that fills my heart with joy at 
th.e prospect of my approaching Confirma- 
tion; and yet the thought of the solemn 
promise which I am about to make, and of 
the vast importance of the sacred rite, 
creates a holy dread in my soul. 
2* 



14 catechumen's and 

I stand in need of thy assistance., mer- 
ciful God, from whom cometh every good 
and perfect gift. Prepare me for this holy 
work ; impress upon my heart most deeply 
the importance of Confirmation, and of 
that valuable Messing which it is calcu- 
lated to bring upon me. Until the import- 
ant day arrives may I be diligently en- 
gaged in studying the sanctifying doc- 
trines of thy Son; increase my faith in 
their saving efficacy; may I experience 
their blessed operations on my heart and 
life more and more every day, that at last 
I may acknowledge them as thine own 
word, and as the fountain of all my hap- 
piness in time and eternity. May I daily 
experience more and more the value of re- 
ligion and of the happiness of a life spent 
in thy service. May I hate sin more and 
more, because it displeases thee — may my 
love for thy Son, my Saviour, increase as 
I grow in years, that at last I may dwell 
with thee in thy heavenly kingdom. Amen, 



communicant's companion. 15 



CHAPTEK II. 

Meditation before the instructions preparatory to 
Confirmation begin. 

The time has now arrived when I am to 
be more particularly prepared for Confirm- 
ation. I will now receive instruction in 
those sacred truths which constitute the 
holy religion which Jesus the Son of God 
brought down from heaven. I will now be 
taught the full meaning of this sacred rite, 
and the high responsibilities it imposes 
upon me. I feel that this particular pre- 
paratory instruction is highly necessary- 
for although the doctrines and duties of 
religion have been inculcated upon me 
by my parents or in the Sunday school, 
yet I discover that much more is wanting 
than I have ever learned, if I desire to 
make a conscientious profession of my faith, 
and my wavering heart daily demands 
some new incentive to confirm me in my 
hatred to sin and love to God. I feel that 
I cannot too frequently hear the word ex- 



16 catechumen's and 

plained; and my duties to God, my neigh- 
bor and myself, cannot be too frequently 
impressed upon me. What was taught me 
in my childhood I did not altogether com- 
prehend, and now I will have an opportu- 
nity of hearing a plain and practical ex- 
planation of these sacred doctrines. My 
beloved pastor will accommodate his in- 
structions to my youthful capacity, and by 
the help of the divine Spirit I will learn 
more of Jesus Christ, while his precepts 
will exercise their gracious influence upon 
my heart. 

The holy man to whom this important 
trust is committed, will instruct me in the 
faith of the gospel, and will affectionately, 
yet forcibly exhort me to devote myself a 
living sacrifice to God. He will represent 
to me the evil of sin, its tendency to 
separate me from my heavenly Father, and 
to provoke his holy displeasure against 
me. He will illustrate the holy nature of 
God and the sanctity of his law, which I 
have broken, and thus make it clear to me 
that I am under condemnation, and how 



communicant's companion. 17 

can I make atonement for my own guilt to 
render satisfaction to divine justice? I 
plainly see the necessity of a Kedeemer to 
pay the ransom for my soul, and to deliver 
me from everlasting punishment; and when 
I consider the magnitude of the work, and 
the immense value of the immortal soul. I 
also perceive that no other Being, but the 
only begotten Son of Grod, is fully adequate 
to its accomplishment. In this fundamen- 
tal doctrine I will be more extensively in- 
structed, and Jesus, my adorable Saviour, 
will be more dear to me, the more I learn 
of his wonderful character. By the grace 
of God I will be inclined to believe in his 
name with an unwavering faith, for as yet 
I feel my heart too much divided between 
the things of heaven and earth. My gay 
companions and the allurements of the 
world draw away my attention from Christ, 
so that I often feel, as the apostle expresses 
it, " that in me dwelleth no good thing, 
for to will is present with me, but how to 
perform that which is good I find not ; for 
the good that I would, I do not, but the 



18 catechumen's and 

evil which I would not, that I do." Bom. 
vi, 18, 19. My will is on the side of God 
and of truth , but my passions oppose it. I 
must therefore receive strength from on 
high to overcome this principle of rebellion, 
and to submit myself to the government 
of God. My pastor will then instruct me 
in the means, evidences and consequences 
of regeneration, and my own experience, 
corresponding with the declarations of 
God's word, will enable me to decide on my 
own case. 

But the duties of Christianity will also 
claim a large share of his attention during 
the course of preparation. Alas ! how far 
short do I fall in this respect! I forget 
those I owe to God, and my fellow men and 
myself. How great my responsibility, and 
yet how indifferent my heart ! What plea 
shall I mate when I stand at the judgment 
seat of God ? Can I plead ignorance, when 
I have so many opportunities of learning 
my duty ? I will then go in company with 
my young friends and learn what I am to 
believe and practice. The exhortations, 



communicant's companion. 19 

instructions and warnings of my pastor 
shall not be uttered in vain, but my heart 
shall be open and ready to receive the 
word of truth, 

Prepare me for this, merciful Father in 
heaven ! May no vain thought distract my 
mind, and no unworthy subject occupy my 
attention, but may the word of exhorta- 
tion, which I am about to hear, sink deep 
in my heart, and may I so highly value 
the instruction I am to receive, that I may 
hereafter, by thy grace, bring forth the 
fruits of righteousness in my life, May I 
be able to appreciate it as the gospel of the 
living God, brought down from heaven by 
thy Son for the salvation of mankind. May 
I listen to it with undivided attention, and 
with an ardent desire of receiving spiritual 
benefit. Strengthen the faculties of my 
mind, and grant me the assistance of thy 
Spirit, that I may make a profitable appli- 
cation of thy word. Grant that nothing 
may ever prevent me from being present 
at these instructions, and during the whole 



20 catechumen's and 

course of this preparation, may I always 
have the great object in view. May I aban- 
don the follies and sins of youth, and walk 
before thee and the world in righteousness 
and holiness, that I may appear at the ta- 
ble of the Lord a worthy communicant, 
and receive all the benefits of that blessed 
ordinance. These things I ask for the sake 
of my Redeemer, whom I sincerely desire 
to serve and love, and to whom with thee, 
and the Holy Grhost, be all honor and 
glory, world without end. Amen. 



communicant's companion. 21 



CHAPTEE III. 
Meditation before every hour of Instruction. 

The hour lias arrived when I am again 
to go and receive instruction from the 
minister of the Lord in the holy truths of 
religion, by which I am to be prepared for 
Confirmation. I go with a holy joy and 
earnest desire for the " sincere milk of the 
word," and my determination is to learn 
much respecting this heavenly doctrine. 
It will require all my attention and my 
most ardent prayers; and I would remem- 
ber that it is none other than the word of 
the living God I am about to hear, which 
will be proclaimed by his servant, my 
pastor. I am now going to the school of 
Christ to be taught in his truth, and with 
what holy emotions and pious thoughts 
should I enter that sacred place! I am 
there to be trained up for eternity,™ to be 
educated for heaven ! and while I receive 
the instruction, my whole soul must be 
3 



22 catechumen's and 

intently fixed upon it. If I permit my 
thoughts to wander I will remain igno- 
rant of the truth, my heart will not be 
affected, and at the great day of trial, my 
condemnation will be the more severe, for 
having enjoyed, and yet not appreciated 
the means of grace. Then, my soul, at- 
tend to the dictates of thy G-od, — resolve 
by his aid to learn and practice the truths 
of his word. 

Strengthen thou this pious resolution^ 
Father in heaven, open my heart and 
understanding, that I may rightly com- 
prehend thy word. May I fix my thoughts 
exclusively on the instruction which I 
now go to receive. May I not regard this 
sacred exercise as a common thing, or suf- 
fer my mind to be drawn away from the 
subject which will be presented to me. 
Enlighten my understanding more and 
more by thy truth, but especially may my 
heart daily experience more of its quick- 
ening and sanctifying power. May I copy 
the great and sublime example of thy Son 



communicant's companion. 23 

Jesus Christ in my whole life. May I in- 
crease every clay not only in wisdom and 
understanding, but especially in piety and 
virtue, in holiness and sobriety, that I 
may please thee more, be more conformed 
to the holy character of thy Son, and bet- 
ter prepared to enjoy eternal life, to which 
thou hast called me. And, Lord, do 
thou assist my instructor in his arduous 
duties, — may he be able to illustrate thy 
word with plainness and enforce it with 
energy. Help thy servant to do his duty, 
and may all his youthful pupils receive 
the word with readiness and practice it in 
their lives. Hear my prayer for Jesus' 
sake. Amen. 



2i catechumen's and 



CHAPTER IV. 

After the hour of Instruction, 

I have now received a part of that in- 
struction by which I am to be taught the 
sanctifying doctrines of the gospel, and 
happy am I, if I have indeed made any 
progress in a knowledge of the truth. But 
I will not be satisfied with merely hearing 
it, I will frequently repeat what I have 
learned, and impress it indelibly upon my 
memory. I will meditate upon the sacred 
truths, which were presented to my mind, 
and examine them more thoroughly, that 
my conviction may be confirmed. I will go 
to the throne of grace, and fervently be- 
seech G-od to grant me the aid of his Spirit 
in the prosecution of my undertaking. I 
will study to perform all the duties which 
were taught me, and daily become more 
perfect in them. I will be careful to avoid 
all those faults against which I have been 
so affectionately warned, and arm myself 



communicant's companion. 25 

more strongly for my contest against the 
world, the flesh and the devil. The more 
faithful I am in respect to that which has 
been entrusted to me, the more light and 
strength will my heavenly Father con- 
stantly afford me. I will endeavor by the 
grace of God to live a pious, sober and 
godly life, for death and judgment are fast 
approaching. 

For the communication of that grace, I 
pray thee, thou faithful God and Father, 
for thou only canst bestow it. I thank thee 
that thou hast permitted me to learn more 
of thy sacred truth. Inspire within me a 
more ardent desire to hear these instruc- 
tions, and more zeal in examining thy holy 
word to ascertain the truth ; grant me a 
deeper conviction of its divine origin, and 
greater perseverance in practicing the 
wholesome precepts which it inculcates ; 
and thus may I daily become more consid- 
erate and wise, more pious and virtuous, 
more contented and happy ; that as I walk 
in the way of thy commandments, I may 
3* 



26 catechumen's and 

with a good conscience and joyful hope, 
appropriate to myself the precious prom- 
ises, which thou hast given to all thy faith- 
ful and obedient children. These things 
I ask for my Kedeemer's sake. Amen. 



communicant's companion. 27 



CHAPTEK V. 

Meditation at the end of the Instruction. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Now the whole course of that instruc- 
tion, on the truths of our holy religion, 
which I have hitherto attended, is finished. 
Have I been attentive, have I endeavored 
rightly to comprehend and to apply what 
has been presented to me ; have I seriously 
and industriously reflected upon it ; has it 
affected my heart and exerted an influence 
upon my conduct ; do I know from de- 
lightful experience the truth and divine 
origin of these doctrines ? Am I able to 
say, I know in whom and in what I be- 
lieve ? 

how much depends upon the fact of 
my ability to answer these questions in 
the affirmative ! For only then will the re- 
ligion in which I have been instructed be a 
safe guide on my way through life, a firm 



28 catechumen's and 

support in time of need ; a comfort in the 
day of adversity, and a refuge in the hour 
of death ! for this only is eternal life ; to 
know God and Jesus Christ, whom he has 
sent. 

What pains my faithful instructor took 
to represent the sacred truths clearly and 
forcibly! He was not satisfied until I 
rightly comprehended them, and earnestly 
endeavored to impress them not only on 
my memory, but especially on my heart 
and conscience. How affectionately he en- 
treated me to continue faithful to what I 
had heard, to practice the lessons which had 
been inculcated, to persevere steadfastly 
in godliness, and to shun the path of vice ! 
I will ever hold in grateful remembrance 
his zeal and labors, and ever entertain for 
him the most sincere affection and esteem. 

But that his instructions may be more 
deeply engraven upon my heart, I will 
now endeavor to go over the principal sub- 
jects from the beginning, and this should 
be a frequent exercise, that the sacred 
truth may become more and more familiar. 



communicant's companion. 29 

The course commenced with that great 
truth, which is the foundation of all re- 
ligion, that there is one God, an almighty, 
all-wise, and all-knowing being, a right- 
eous., holy, but good and merciful Father. 
An attentive consideration of the natural 
world and of myself, taught me that this 
God is the Maker and Preserver of all 
things. I learned from his own revelation, 
the Bible, that this Creator made spirits 
superior to me, and that man was origi- 
nally formed in the moral image and like- 
ness of God ; that man did not continue 
in this holy state, but sinned against his 
heavenly Father, and thus lost his divine 
favor ; that in consequence of this, the pos- 
terity of our first parents show evil incli- 
nations as soon as they are capable of 
moral action. Led astray by this natural 
tendency to sin, men often against better 
knowledge do that which they know is dis- 
pleasing to God, and thus render them- 
selves unworthy of his divine approbation ; 
they draw down upon themselves his dis- 
pleasure, and that merited punishment 



30 

which the justice and holiness of God de- 
mand, and make themselves miserable for 
ever, unless they repent of their sins, be- 
lieve in Jesus Christ, and live a godly right- 
eous andsoberlife. Everlasting banishment 
from the presence of God would have been 
the unhappy portion of all men, had he not 
mercifully wrought out a plan of redemp- 
tion which man of himself never would have 
discovered, and a way of reconciliation 
which no human mind could conceive. 
This plan was the sending of his only 
Son into the world in the form of a 
man, who by his divine doctrines taught 
men "the way, the truth and the life/ 
gave us an example of holiness in his pure 
and spotless life, and died a guiltless death 
to satisfy for us the demands of divine 
justice. Now, for the sake of his dear Son, 
God is willing to accept us, and grant us 
the forgiveness of our sins and future sal- 
vation, if we believe in his Son, repent of 
our transgressions, and obey his laws and 
precepts, to accomplish which God has 
promised us the assistance of his Holy Spirit, 



communicant's companion. 31 

What renders this satisfaction so com- 
plete, and the gracious Eedeemer so pecu- 
liarly valuable to me, is the glorious fact 
that he was not a mere human being like 
myself, nor yet an exalted angel, but the 
true and eternal God in the form of a man. 
Every where in my Bible I see divine at- 
tributes, and works, and powers, and 
names imputed to him, so that I conclude, 
he was God and man in the same person, 
and only such an one was capable of mak- 
ing the great atonement for the sins of 
the world* 

The precepts of Jesus, or his incompar- 
able system of morals, for the rule of our 
conduct in life, forms the second principal 
part of the instruction which I have re- 
ceived. The will of God is the foundation, 
of the system, and I am required to do all 
that is good, merely because it is the will 
and command of God, without any regard 
to reward and honor. And hence it is 
that of the three-fold duties which it pre- 
scribes, viz : towards God, myself, and my 
fellow men, that love to God is the great- 



82 catechumen's and 

est, and it demands us to love G-od above 
all things, with all our heart, and soul, 
and strength, and continually to manifest 
this love by filial confidence in him, by 
submission to the ways of his providence, 
by reverence for his authority and holi- 
ness, and by profound humility. 

But this system^ of morality also teaches 
me to ascertain a reasonable love for my- 
self; that is, it demands an earnest solici- 
tude for the welfare of my soul, and its 
improvement in virtue and wisdom. I 
must be anxious about my own preserva- 
tion, and study to maintain a respectable 
character in society. By industry and 
frugality I must lay up a sufficient portion 
of the goods of this world to support me 
decently in life, but I must, at the same 
time, most studiously guard against parsi- 
mony and avarice. 

Finally, I am taught to conduct myself 
towards my fellow men as brethren, with- 
out distinction. The law is, "love thy 
neighbor," that is, thy fellow man, as 
"thyself." I am instructed also to be 



commuotcant's companion. 33 

solicitous about their salvation ; to exhort 
them to do good^ and to warn them against 
evil, and to set them an example of piety 
and holiness. I must moreover be anxious 
for the preservation of their honor, by the 
duties of honesty, veracity and fidelity, by 
forbearance and love of my enemies ; and 
finally, for their property, by justice^ 
mercy, and liberality. 

This is a brief summary of that instruc- 
tion which I have received in the doctrines 
and duties of the religion of Jesus. Happy 
am I that it has been impressed upon my 
understanding and heart ! By the help of 
the Holy Spirit, it shall not soon be erased. 
Thus prepared with this knowledge and 
faith, I will profess it before God and the 
congregation, with a joyful conviction of 
its divine origin, and fervently beseech 
my heavenly Father that he would grant 
me grace to practice it in my life. 

Here let me call to mind again what 
my pastor has taught me about the nature 
of Confirmation. He stated that we do 

not regard Confirmation as a Sacrament, 

4 



34 catechumen's am> 

as the church of Eome does, or even 
as an indispensable divine ordinance, but 
we insist upon its being a most useful 
and edifying custom, well calculated to 
impress the heart of our youth with a 
sense of their obligations. As soon as 
they arrive at a proper age, they attend 
upon the instructions of the pastor for 
some months, and then solemnly renew 
and ratify their baptismal vows in the 
presence of God and the congregation, by 
prayer and laying on of the hands of the 
minister. This course of instruction has 
proved eminently useful, and the solem- 
nity of the occasion has been the means 
of spiritual blessing in thousands of in- 
stances. 

Nothing is more reasonable, since our 
parents and sponsors in baptism made that 
solemn covenant for us, than that as soon as 
we arrive at years of discretion, we should 
ratify and confirm it. For if we neglect 
confirmation, or some such public and sol- 
emn act of acknowledgment, we show by 
our conduct that we refuse our consent to 



communicant's companion. 35 

their promises in our name ; that we will 
not devote ourselves to Christ, and will 
not be members of his church. Jesus says 3 
Matt x, 32, 33, "Whosoever therefore 
shall confess me before men, him will I 
confess also before my heavenly Father ; 
but whosoever shall deny me before men ? 
him will I also deny before my Father and 
his angels. 7 ' Confirmation affords an op- 
portunity for such confession or denial. 

1. By this solemn rite, we renew that 
sacred covenant which our parents and 
sponsors made for us with God at our bap- 
tism ; we thereby give our assent to the 
promises which they made in our name 3 
and take all the responsibility upon our- 
selves. 

2. By Confirmation we are solemnly in- 
itiated into the religious society of Chris- 
tians, and upon our own voluntary pro- 
fessions and promises, are received as adult 
members of the Christian congregation 
with which we connect ourselves by this 
solemn act. This may prove of infinite 
advantage to us in time and eternity. We 



36 catechumen's and 

participate in all the means of improving 
our mind in the knowledge of our Saviour, 
and of forming our hearts to vital godli- 
ness and genuine virtue. 

3. In Confirmation we appropriate and 
apply Jesus Christ and his righteousness, 
and all the fruits of his redemption anew, 
and personally to ourselves. For since we 
there devote ourselves to Christ, and prom- 
ise henceforth to form our minds and ac- 
tions according to his doctrine, Christ can 
impart to us all those blessings and ben- 
efits which flow from his gospel. We 
may therefore confidently expect that the 
Father of all mercies will ever multiply 
unto us his grace and peace ; that Jesus 
Christ will preserve and keep us as par- 
ticular objects of his providential care and 
affection, and defend us in every time of 
danger ; and that the Holy Spirit will 
enable us to become true followers of Je- 
sus, and preserve us faithfully unto eter- 
nal life. 

4. By this solemn act, connected with 
the sanctifying influence of the word of 



communicant's companion. 37 

G-od, we will obtain new powers and in- 
citements to true virtue and godliness. 
The solemnity of tlie occasion on which 
we come forward, calling upon G-od in the 
presence of a whole congregation, profess- 
ing our faith and promising to lead a 
Christian life, must impress our minds with 
reverence and holy awe ; and who can tell 
what blessings God will not bestow upon 
them who serve and love him sincerely 
unto the end ? 

5. Much is expected from us, as in the 
right of Confirmation we are received as 
an adult member of the church of Christ. 
As an equivalent for these benefits which 
the church bestows upon us, she expects 
that we will approve ourselves upon all 
occasions, as worthy members, and by the 
divine blessing, faithfully discharge our 
duties as members of society, of our fam- 
ilies, and of the church ; that we will ob- 
serve the rules and regulations of our 
church, esteem her rulers as such, and 
love her members with a becoming good 
will and affection ; that we will have the 
4* 



38 cathechumen's and 

welfare of the church of Christ at heart, 
and pray for her prosperity and the hap- 
piness of her members ; that we will re- 
ceive instruction and advice, attend divine 
service, the administration of the sacra- 
ments, and every lawful institution for 
edification regularly, and with a becoming 
disposition and behaviour. 

Blessed be thou, Lord God Almighty, 
that thou hast brought me thus far : that 
thou hast permitted me to be instructed 
in the sacred religion of thy Son ; that 
thou hast given it to me as a guide through 
the moral darkness of this world, to a 
happy eternity in the world that is to 
come ! may I continually meditate upon 
its holy doctrines, and daily make rapid 
advances in a knowedge of thee and thy 
Son,' Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour. 
May I daily experience more of their sanc- 
tifying power in my heart, and by a con- 
stant obedience to thy will, as there re- 
vealed, may I still be more deeply con- 
vinced that it all proceeds from thee. 



communicant's companion. 39 

Mercifully forbid that in the future years 
of my life, the lusts of the flesh, or the 
temptations of the world, should rob me 
of that living conviction which I now feel, 
or make me indifferent to thy holy reli- 
gion. Preserve me, G-od, from all sin — 
increase my faith in thy dear Son — let the 
light of thy countenance shine upon me ; 
and now, as I am about to profess thy 
name before the world, and take upon 
myself my solemn baptismal vows, with- 
hold not the influence of thy Spirit; 
strengthen my resolutions of serving and 
loving thee ; guide me into all necessary 
truth, and finally save my soul for Jesus' 
sake. — Amen. 



40 cathechumen's and 



CHAPTEK VI. 

Confession of Sins and Resolutions of Obedi- 
ence to God. 

Lord! I call my ways to remembrance 
with a troubled heart ; my evil doings are 
before my eyes ; they are a sore burden, 
too heavy to be borne. But now, my 
God, with a heart truly sorrowful and 
penitent, I turn from my evil ways, re- 
solving by thy grace to become a new 
creature : from this day I am determined 
to lead a truly religious life. preserve 
me from all iniquity ! 

Lord, I am not worthy so much as 
to lift up mine eyes unto thee ; but whither 
should a sinner, such as I, look, but unto 
thee, the fountain of all mercy ; whither 
but to thee, whose mercy is greater than 
my sins ; and who had much rather be 
reconciled than to take vengeance upon 
me. Thou showest mercy to the unworthy, 



communicant's companion. 41 

and invitest me with all the tenderness of 
a compassionate Father to turn from my 
evil ways, that my soul may live and he 
for ever happy in thy eternal kingdom. 

Therefore., encouraged hy thy goodness, 
Lord, I address myself unto thee, for I 
am ready to sink under my load of guilt ; 
and yet I make no plea but for thy mercy; 
nor have I any pretence to claim it, (for 
with shame I acknowledge I have very 
much abused it,) but through thy un- 
bounded love ; I know I have a most mer- 
ciful Saviour, who died to purchase salva- 
tion for me; and who now powerfully 
intercedes with thee for the pardon of all 
true penitents. For the sake of his blessed 
name, receive me graciously to thy mercy, 
and be not angry with me for ever ! 

Forgive me, merciful Father, for I 
am heartily sorry for all the evils which I 
have done. I have been disobedient to 
thy law ; I have made a mock at sin and 
would not hearken to reproof. I have 
cherished evil dispositions, carnal desires 
and inordinate affections. I have long re- 



42 catechumen's akd 

jectecl the offers of mercy and preferred a 
life of folly and sin! I have not spent my 
days in thy service, but in the service of 
the Evil One ; I have profaned thy Sab- 
baths, abused thy sacred name, disre- 
garded thy holy word, and turned a deaf 
ear to the warnings, instructions and in- 
vitations of thy ministers. I have been 
proud, and envious, passionate and angry, 
full of hatred, malice and revenge. My 
thoughts have been unholy, and my cou- 
versation impure. — Father, I have sinned 
against heaven and in thy sight, and am 
no more wo.rthy to be called thy son ; O 
pity, cleanse, forgive and save me, for thy 
mercy's sake. Forgive all my sins, for I 
am fully resolved by thy grace to love 
and serve thee ; though my transgressions 
are numerous, yet thy mercies are greater 
still; do not punish according to the 
enormity of my sins, but extend thy 
mercy and pardon to me for my dear Be- 
deemer's sake. 

Turn thee, Lord, and deliver my souL 
save me for thy mercy's sake. Ps. vi, 4, 



CCHMOTICAHT^S COMPANION. 43 

Hear me, gracious God and Father, 
and breathe into my heart that spirit 
which renews us after thine own image, 
in righteousness and true holiness, 

Lord Jesus who seekest out sinners 
to turn them from their evil ways, do not 
neglect me now, when I seek thee. I am 
poor and naked, Oh I clothe me with thy 
righteousness! 

My good thoughts are changeable and 
inconstant, but do thou establish and fix 
them by thy grace : set up thy kingdom 
in my heart, for I sincerely desire to be- 
come thy servant and disciple. 

Saviour of the world, save me ; who by 
thy cross and suffering hast redeemed me^ 
help and save me, I beseech thee, my 
God. 

Give me, Lord 5 spiritual wisdom, that 
I may discern what is pleasing to thee, 
and follow what belongs unto my peace; 
and let the knowledge and peace of God, 
awl of Jesu3 Christ our Lord, be my guide 
and my portion all the days of my life. 

To the Kimr eternal, immortal and in- 



44 catechumen's am? 

visible, the only wise God, who is the ever 
blessed and adorable Trinity, be all honor 
and glory, thanksgiving and praise, now 
and evermore. Amen. 



communicant's companion. 45 



CHAPTER VII, 

The day of Confirmation. 

Let this day be sacred to me on which. 
I am to take upon myself most solemn 
obligations, and which opens before me 
the most delightful prospect! How sacred 
are the relations upon which I enter this 
day ! what serious recollections and feel- 
ings are awakened in my soul! what solemn 
professions and vows must I make ! and 
what unspeakable benefits have I reason 
to expect, if I continue faithful to the end ! 

Yes, I rejoice before thee, gracious G-od, 
that by thy merciful protection, I have 
been permitted to see this day. I rejoice 
with thanksgiving at the prospect of the 
blessings which this day will bestow upon 
me, and of the advantages which it per- 
mits me to expect. When I was yet a 
child thou didst receive me into the cove- 
nant of thy grace by baptism, and I was 
5 



46 catechumen's and 

thus endowed with greater claims to the 
"benefits and privileges which are peculiar 
to those who embrace and profess thy holy 
religion. True, I, a weak and simple 
child, could not appreciate the importance 
of those advantages. I could not feel the 
obligations of those high and holy duties 
which were then laid upon me, nor did I 
know the happiness that was so closely 
associated with them. But now I know 
these things at least in part, since I have 
been instructed by my faithful pastor in 
a knowledge of thee, thy will and my 
own destiny, as thy Son Jesus Christ, has 
revealed it to us. Now I know that it is 
a good and happy thing to be a christian 
in deed and in truth. Now I know what 
thou my God demandest of me, and what 
is pleasing to thee. Now I know the high 
and holy duties I owe to thee, my fellow 
men and myself. For all these things, I 
thank thee, Father of mercies. I promise 
fidelity to thee, and would renew the sol- 
emn vow, in my own person, which others 
made for me. when I was a child. Before 



communicant's companion. 47 

thee, the Omniscient, I now make the 
solemn profession, that the religion of thy 
Son is truth divine, undeniable, and indis- 
pensable for life and salvation. I now 
promise thee, as others once promised for 
me, that by thy grace, I will walk accord- 
ing to the precepts of thy holy word, that 
I will fulfil all its demands, and that I 
will hold the faith and a good conscience 
until the end. Before thee, I most sol- 
emnly profess that all thy gracious prom- 
ises are most consoling to me and worthy 
of all belief, and that in all the circum- 
stances of my life, in the day of rejoicing, 
in the hour of affliction, in life and in 
death, I will most steadily adhere to them, 
and found upon them only my peace and 
rest and hope. May, then, this profession 
be sincere and true. I cannot deceive 
thee, for thou searchest the heart, and I 
cannot expect that my profession and vow 
will be agreeable to thee, if my heart does 
not feel the obligation. preserve me 
from all inconsiderateness, from inatten- 
tion and disregard of the solemn transac- 



48 catechumen's and 

tion before me. May what I this day 
profess and promise continue to be sacred 
to me until my end. May it direct my 
steps, govern all the inclinations of my 
heart, that I may be thine not only by 
profession, but really thy child, friend and 
follower, so that I may be happy with 
thee for ever, through Jesus Christ. 



communicant's companion. 49 



CHAPTER VIII. 
JYIorning Prayer on the day of Confirmation* 

Merciful and gracious God, I desire 
most sincerely to thank tliee that thou 
hast preserved my unworthy life to see 
the light of this day, so solemn and event- 
ful to me. Thou hast protected me during 
the night that is past, and granted me 
refreshing sleep,- — thine arms of mercy en- 
circled me, and shielded me from all dan- 
ger and accident, which might have pre- 
vented me from engaging in the solemni- 
ties of this day. Thou hast permitted me 
to awake in health, and now I am ready 
to go to thy house and there profess thy 
name. To-day thou wilt publicly and 
solemnly acknowledge me as thy child, 
and I will partake of the unspeakable 
blessings of thy grace. To-clay I will 
publicly profess my faith, and thou wilt 
bestow upon me the right of partak- 
ing of all its privileges, especially of the 
5* 



50 catechumen's and 

holy sacrament of the supper, which, thy 
Son,jmy Lord and Saviour, instituted as 
a memorial of his dying love. 

May all the sacred exercises of this day 
he ever present to my mind — may the 
contemplation of them fill my heart with 
holy joy and yet with devout seriousness — 
may the remembrance of them ever in- 
spire renewed determinations to serve thee 
and walk in the way which thou hast 
marked out. 

Now, gracious Father, go with me to 
thy house, and fix my devout attention 
upon the solemn scene before me. May 
nothing distract my mind from the seri- 
ous meditation of my duties — may my 
whole heart be exclusively fixed on thee, 
and the solemn engagements upon which 
I am about to enter. Preserve me in thy 
fear and love, and may it ever be my de- 
light to do thy will. Hear and bless me 
for Jesus' sake. Amen. 



communicant's conp anion. 51 



CHAPTEE IX. 
Prayer for my fellow Catechumens. 

Not for myself only would I pray, mer- 
ciful Father, but also for my dear young 
friends who, with me, intend this day to 
profess thy name in thy holy house. With 
me they will promise to render faithful 
obedience to thee, during all their life — 
with me they have received instruction in 
thy holy word ; we went to the house of 
God in company, and we have been asso- 
ciated in all our preparatory lessons and 
prayers, and how could I forget them in 
my supplication to a throne of grace? 

I therefore beseech thee, heavenly Fa- 
ther, that thou would st also take my com- 
panions into thy special care and keep- 
ing ; — may thy Holy Spirit rest upon 
them, — create within them a holy zeal for 
thy cause, and enable them to come for- 
ward with joy, and take upon themselves 
the vows which the solemn rite enjoins, 



52 catechumen's and 

with unshaken confidence in thee. May 
the solemnity of the occasion impress 
their minds most deeply. May their hearts 
feel all those emotions of gratitude and 
pious joy which the occurrences of this day 
are calculated to inspire ; and ! that the 
salvation purchased by Jesus Christ may 
become more precious to them every day. 
May their own insufficiency and the great 
need of a Saviour appear more and more 
clear to them, and enable them to resign 
themselves altogether to the direction of 
their God. 

Forbid, Father of mercies, that their 
minds should be fixed on other subjects, 
than that which is before them this day; — 
let not their hearts wander, but may all 
the affections of their souls be engaged in 
the solemn service. Forbid that hereaf- 
ter any should deny thy Son, whom they 
now profess to love; — let not one stray 
from the fold of Christ, but preserve them, 
gracious Saviour, from falling into sin 
and provoking thy displeasure. Send thy 
Spirit to their assistance, that they may be 



COMMUNICANTS COMPANION. fiS 

able to persevere in the ways of holiness 
and truth unto the end. Eemember not. 
Lord, the follies of their childhood, nor 
the sins of their riper years, but ! ac- 
cept them, as they now declare it to be 
the sincere desire of their hearts to serve 
and love thee. Hear my prayer, and thine 
shall be the glory, world without end,™ 
Amm. 



54 catechumen's and 



CHAPTEE X. 
Before going to be Confirmed. 

The hour has arrived, — that most im- 
portant and solemn hour ! I am now 
going to the house of the Lord, to the 
place where his honor dwelleth, to make 
the profession of my faith ; and to renew 
my baptismal vows before Him, and the 
assembled congregation. that the house 
of G-od may be to me this day the very 
gate of heaven ! My heart beats strongly 
within me ? as I am about to take this, the 
most important step of my whole life. 
With reverential awe do I tread the holy 
place which is this day to witness my 
confession and solemn vow. The congre- 
gation is already beginning to assemble — 
a sacred seriousness pervades the whole 
church — the people seem to feel as though 
indeed a peculiar solemnity was about to 
take place. The aged are reminded of 
the promises of their youth ; — those who 



communicant's companion. 55 

have been confirmed within a few years 
remember their rows, — their former feel- 
ings are aroused, and even the gay and 
thoughtless are serious and reflecting. 

The altar is before me — I see my be- 
loved pastor standing there with a coun- 
tenance brightened by hope, and yet full 
of anxiety about us his catechumens ; be- 
fore that altar I must kneel, and by the 
laying on of his hands I will be conse- 
crated to the service of the Lord. 

Lord Jesus, thou adorable Saviour, do 
thou accompany me to thy house. Pre- 
pare my heart for this solemn transaction, 
and may I tread thine earthly courts with 
reverence and humility. I would come 
to thee for assistance, for thou only canst 
help me. I pray for grace and the effu- 
sion of the Holy Ghost. Without thee I 
can do nothing good ; and ! then help 
me to go forward confiding in thee and 
relying upon thy gracious aid. May I pro- 
fess thy name, and take upon myself the 
solemn vow with pious determination to 



56 catechumen's and 

persevere to the end, May the word of 
instruction, exhortation, and warning, 
which ray pastor will address to me, make 
a deep and abiding impression on my 
heart. May sincere devotion humble me 
in the dust before thee, and may I expe- 
rience, more and more, that thou art in- 
deed a loving Saviour. May I not be 
deceived in the profession I am about to 
make, but, Lord, convince me more deep- 
ly of the truth of thy holy doctrine, and of 
the great importance of those promises 
which I am about to make. I would not 
dissemble before thee, for thou art well 
acquainted with my heart, and thou wilt 
be my future judge. Bless* me in what- 
ever I undertake this day, and may I 
return from thy house with renewed reso- 
lutions to serve thee better, and love thee 
more. Gracious Saviour, I now give my- 
self up to thee; I am prepared to go; 0, 
go with me, and may all result to thy 
glory, and my own good, for thy sake. — 
Amen. 



communicant's companion. 57 



CHAPTER XI. 
Return from Confirmation* 

It is done ! — the solemn deed has been 
performed, and I hare taken upon myself 
my baptismal vows ! I have made a pro- 
fession of my most holy faith, and have 
been dedicated anew to the service of Al- 
mighty God ! The hands of my pastor 
have been laid upon me, — the blessing 
has been pronounced, and I have received 
new assurances of the grace of God, if I 
remain constantly faithful to him ! Grat- 
itude and holy joy fill my soul, for I have 
been acknowledged a child of my heaven- 
ly Father, and all the earthly privileges 
of his children have been granted to me. 
I will now repeat my vow, and I declare 
in the presence of God, that I will keep it 
to the end. Never, never will I forget the 
occurrences of this day. The divine reli- 
gion of Jesus, which he brought down 
from heaven for the salvation of the world, 
6 



58 CATECHUMENS AND 

shall always be clear to my soul,— I hare 
adopted it as the rule of my conduct, and 
the guide of my life. I will continue dil- 
igently to study its sacred doctrines and 
precepts. Their tendency is to sanctify 
my soul, and they will fortify me against 
all the assaults of my spiritual enemies. 
They will afford, me consolation in the 
day of sorrow and trouble ; they will sus- 
tain my fainting spirit in the hour of 
death, and conduct me safely to another 
and a better world. 

I will steadfastly walk in the ways of 
religion and virtue, and continue faithful 
in the service of my God and Saviour, to 
whom I have obligated myself anew. No 
corrupt desires, no lusts of the flesh, no 
flattering temptations of the world, no 
sufferings and dangers, no unhallowed 
levity, no violent passions, no anger, mal- 
ice, or revenge, no vanity or negligence, 
no inordinate affections, or whatever is 
sinful, shall, by the help of God, make 
me unfaithful or unbelieving:. 



communicant's companion. 59 

thou, who liast already done so much 
for me, who hast safely conducted me 
through the years of my childhood, and 
permitted me to live until this day, on 
which I have been so greatly blessed, — 
heavenly Father ! grant me thy divine as- 
sistance, that I may constantly adhere to 
these pious resolutions ; awaken within 
me most earnest desires to glorify thy 
name ; may I grow; in knowledge, virtue, 
and' righteousness, as my days increase. 
May I become more conformed to thy holy 
will, and more assimilated to the divine 
and spotless character of my Saviour, Je- 
sus Christ. Lead me and guide me through 
this world, and afterwards receive me to 
glory, and the praise shall be thine, Fath- 
er, Son, and Spirit, world without end.— 
Amen. 



60 catechumen's and 



CHAPTER XII. 
Evening Prayer on the day of Confirmation. 

At the close of this day so interesting 
to me, would I once more draw near to 
thee, Father Almighty, and render unto 
thee my most unfeigned and hearty thanks 
for that paternal love which thou hast 
manifested towards me this day — for all 
those unspeakable mercies which I have 
received at thy hands ; for that gracious 
assistance which thou hast vouchsafed to 
me in the work which I have undertaken; 
for all the pious feelings which thou hast 
awakened in my soul ; for the sacred prin- 
ciples which thou hast implanted within 
me, and for all the rich, hut unmerited 
blessings, which I have enjoyed. Bless the 
Lord, my soul, and all that is within 
me, bless his holy name; bless the Lo^d, 
my soul, and forget not all his benefits ; 
who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who 
healeth all thy diseases, who redeemeth 



communicant's companion. 61 

thy life from destruction, who crowneth 
thee with loving kindness and tender 
mercies, bless thou the Lord, my soul. 
Let me never forget the mercies received 
from thee, the promises which thou hast 
renewed to me, and the vows I have taken 
upon myself. Let the blessings of this, 
day follow me through my whole life, and 
in the hour of death may they not be far 
from thee. 

I now commend myself to thy guardian 
protection during this night ; preserve me 
from all danger; grant me refreshing 
sleep ; may no accident befal me, and no 
plague come nigh my dwelling ; may I 
awake in the morning in perfect health, 
and may my first thoughts be directed to 
thee. Be my God and benefactor through 
life, and finally save me, for Jesus' sake. 
Amen, 



6* 



62 catechumen's and 



CHAPTER XIII. 
My Baptism. 

Soon after my birth the holy Sacrament 
of Baptism was administered to me, and 
the name of the Father, Son and Holy 
Ghost, was solemnly pronounced and in- 
voked. The consideration of this privi- 
lege was among the first things impressed 
upon my mind, in the course of the in- 
struction I have received preparatory to 
confirmation. My pastor represented it as 
a very important thing, and whilst he la- 
mented that so many disregarded the ob- 
ligations of their baptism, he expressed his 
fervent hope that we, his catechumens, 
would properly appreciate them ; and on 
this account, he several times explained 
their nature, and earnestly exhorted us to 
consider the immense responsibility that 
rested upon us. 

By this ordinance, I was solemnly ini- 
tiated into the society of Christians, and 



communicant's companion. 63 

was made a partaker of all the privileges 
of the church which I was then capable 
of enjoying ; with the promise that, when 
I arrived at a proper age, I would be in- 
structed in the truth as it is in Jesus. 
That time has arrived, and now only can 
I estimate the great advantages which my 
baptism confers upon me ; and, at the same 
time, I am more sensible of the obligations 
I have taken upon myself. Since all these 
things have been taught me, I will prize 
them the more dearly, and will endeavor 
to exhibit the character of one who feels 
his accountability to Grod for all the bene- 
fits he enjoys. When I was baptized, I 
knew nothing of my earthly Father, but I 
received a thousand favors from him, with- 
out knowing the benevolent parent who 
bestowed them upon me ; but now it is my 
most sacred duty to love, honor and obey 
him. Thus I will also conduct myself to- 
wards my heavenly Father, whom I have 
since learned to know, and I will, by his 
grace glorify his name in all my ways. To 
be baptized in the name of God, surely 



64 catechumen's and 

signifies to be consecrated as a child of 
God, as the purchase of Jesus Christ, and 
as a temple of the Holy Ghost. As, then, 
I have been baptized in the name of God, 
the obligation rests upon me of honoring 
and loving that name, and that not pro- 
fessedly, but in spirit and in truth. Would 
it be an honor to a child of poor parentage, 
to be permitted by some great and good 
man to bear his name, and to have the 
privilege of calling him father and friend ? 
Precisely such an honor does baptism con- 
fer on me. God is my great benefactor, 
and he permits me to call him both father 
and friend. He will purify my heart and 
conscience, and for this end has he given 
me his Holy Spirit. 

To be baptized in the name of the Father, 
Son and Holy Ghost, leads me to the con- 
templation of the three unspeakably great 
benefits, creation, redemption and sancti- 
fication ; and how deeply should these be 
engraved on my heart ! I am astonished 
at the wonderful love of God, which has 
been manifested towards me ! I am over- 



communicant's companion. 65 

whelmed with surprise when I think of his 
condescension to me, a sinful creature ! My 
baptism assures me that, for the sake of 
his Son, he will regard me with compas- 
sion; that he will mercifully hear my 
prayer, and elevate me from the lowest 
condition of a sinner, to the happiness and 
dignity of his own children. Lord, what 
is man that thou art mindful of him, or 
the son of man, that thou visitest him ? 
Ps. viii. 

I have been baptized into the death of 
Jesus, (Bom. vi, 3,) and have, therefore, 
been assured of the forgiveness of my sins 
by repentance and faith. In the power of 
faith, hope and love, I can walk in new- 
ness of life; for Christ sends his Holy 
Spirit, who encourages and invites me to 
that which is good. Happy am I in the 
possession of such promises and hopes; 
God is my G-od, my benefactor in this life, 
and the life to come. 

That soul reviving declaration : " I am 
thy G-od," is an assurance of my happy im- 
mortality. I have been solemnly acknow- 



66 catechumen's and 

ledged a child of G-od, and I will daily re- 
flect upon the duties which a child should 
perform towards such a merciful heavenly 
Father. 

How shall I praise thee, most gracious 
God, that in my infancy thou didst vouch- 
safe such favor to nie, and didst introduce 
me into the holy and happy society of thy 
dear Son ? I was baptized in thy name. ! 
may I daily become more sensible of the 
privilege of being called thy child ; and 
under all circumstances, and at all times, 
may I look up to thee as a dear and benev- 
olent Father; and finally participate in 
that glory which thou hast given to thy 
beloved Son, my Saviour. May my heart 
expand with love; may my lips continually 
praise thee, and may my whole life mani- 
fest my gratitude to thee, the giver of all 
good. Forgive all the sins and follies of 
my childhood, and may my future life be 
more fruitful in the gifts and graces of the 
Holy Spirit. Hear me, Father, for the 
Redeemer's sak§. Amen, 



communicant's companion. 67 



CHAP TEE XIV. 

When the noiice of the Administration of the 
Holy Supper is publicly given. 

The period lias now arrived, when I 
am for the first time to enjoy the blessed 
privileges which my Confirmation bestows 
upon me : for the first time to avail myself 
of the right which it gives to all the ben- 
efits and institutions of Christianity. My 
youth and unenlightened understanding 
hitherto debarred me from these, but now 
I am placed on an equality with all Chris- 
tians, and I can participate in all the ad- 
vantages of our holy religion. I am now 
privileged to partake of the Holy Supper, 
which my Eedeemer, Jesus Christ, insti- 
tuted as a memorial of his sufferings 
and death, This I desire to regard as 
the most solemn transaction of my life, 
and I will, therefore, most devoutly med- 
itate upon the nature of the sacred ordi- 
nance, and thus prepare myself to appear 



CATECHUMEN S AKD 



as a worthy communicant at the Table 
of the Lord. I will practically examine 
the subject, and by prayer and by close 
self-examination, will endeavor to ascer- 
tain whether I am really qualified to 
partake of the broken body and shed 
blood of my beloved Saviour. I sincere- 
ly desire to entertain correct ideas on 
this subject, that I may not be deceived 
respecting my own condition, and that 
the awful judgment denounced against 
unworthy communicants, may not fall on 
me. I will then be able to appear at the 
communion of the Lord, with holy joy ; 
I will then be a worthy guest ; the bless- 
ing will descend upon me, and my faith 
in Christ will be increased. 

Blessed be thou, gracious Saviour, that 
thou hast delivered up thy life to redeem me 
from my sin, and that I am now permitted 
to partake of the fruits of thy death ; that 
in the Sacrament of the Supper, which 
thou hast instituted as a memorial of thy 
sufferings, thou wilt give me the gracious 



COMMtJKlCAK^S' COMPANION. 69 

assurance, " Son, thy sins are forgiven/' 
let thy Spirit descend and do his work 
in my heart, that I may be a worthy guest 
at thy table ; that the blessing may be ex- 
perienced by me ; and that I may grow in 
grace. Now, Lord, as I am about to med- 
itate upon this holy Sacrament, preserve 
me from levity of mind, and from the de- 
lusion of my spiritual enemy, but grant 
me clear conceptions of thy truth, and 
may my silent meditation be sanctified to 
my soul. Fill my heart with love to thee, 
and may thy name be glorified in all my 
actions. Amen. 



TO catechumen's and 



CHAPTER XV. 

The Founder of the Holy Supper. 

Now, my soul ! elevate thy affections 
above the perishable things of earth, and 
employ thyself in meditating upon that 
adorable Being who instituted the Sacra- 
ment of the Holy Supper ! May venera- 
tion and gratitude occupy my heart, and 
a holy awe fill my soul, when I come into 
the presence of God ! "With the eye of 
faith would I look upon Him, who is 
adorable and worthy of all praise, the 
founder of this most sacred ordinance. 
Of him the Scriptures testify : " In the 
beginning was the Word ; and the Word 
was with God; and the Word was God : 
all things were made by him, and without 
him was nothing made that is made ; and 
the Word was made flesh, and dwelt 
amongst us; and we beheld his glory, the 
glory as of the only begotten of the Fath- 
er, full of grace and truth. He is the im- 



communicant's companion. 71 

age of the invisible God : in him dwelleth 
the fulness of the Godhead, bodily ; he is 
God over all, blessed for evermore ; let all 
the angels worship him ; all power is 
given him in heaven and earth ; he knows 
all things ; he will be the judge of the liv- 
ing and the dead/' What glory ! What 
majesty ! Jesus Christ, the founder of the 
Holy Supper, was not merely a wise and 
highly enlightened teacher of his day; 
not merely an extraordinary prophet sent 
of God. No, he came from the Father's 
bosom; he is the only begotten Son of 
God ; truly " great is the mystery of god- 
liness ; God manifest in the flesh." The 
Almighty, the Eternal, the Creator and 
Lord of heaven and earth, took upon him- 
self our nature, and in the person of Jesus 
dwelt in our world. He is God himself. 
But I can contemplate him, also, as the 
greatest Benefactor, the Redeemer and 
Saviour of mankind. He is also my Bene- 
factor, Redeemer, and Saviour. As such 
the only begotten of the Father was pro- 
claimed by the heavenly host to the shep- 



72 catechumen's and 

herds, immediately after his birth. He 
came to bring peace on earth, and good 
will to men. His own gracious declaration 
is : "I am come to seek and to save that 
which was lost." Never, since the founda- 
tion of the world, has so much been accom- 
plished for the good of mankind as by him; 
no such benefactor ever before appeared on 
earth. Although, during the first thirty 
years of his life, he lived secluded from the 
world, yet when he entered upon his min- 
istry, and commenced the work he was sent 
to perform, it was emphatically said of him 
that he went about doing good. Every 
day he was employed in the performance 
of benevolent deeds; he dispensed blessings 
wherever he went. He wandered from 
place to place, with multitudes around him, 
and administered to them what above all 
things is needful, the bread of life; nour- 
ishment for their immortal souls; treasures 
for heaven. He exhorted, entreated, warn- 
ed, threatened and consoled his numerous 
hearers ; he instructed them in the way of 
God, and preached the gospel to the poor. 






communicant's companion. 73 

He introduced a new system of morals, and 
revealed the will of God respecting his re- 
bellious creature, man. He brought clown 
from heaven, and bestowed upon man the 
purest and most excellent religion that the 
world ever saw. He also healed the dis- 
eases of their bodies, and multitudes re- 
sorted to him to be restored to health. 
The lame walked, the blind saw, evil spir- 
its were cast out, and the dead were raised 
to life. He passed whole nights in the 
open air, upon Mount Olivet, holding com- 
munion with his heavenly • Father, and 
praying for a world of sinners. He had not 
where to lay his head ; no home of his own; 
he denied himself even allowed indulgence; 
he lived only for others, and overlooked 
himself in the consideration of the welfare 
and eternal benefit of man. 

But, ah ! the work which he came down 
from heaven to accomplish, was not finish- 
ed. Much more painful and difficult was 
the completion of that plan which was de- 
vised from eternity for the salvation of 
mankind. True, he was already despised, 



74 cathechumen's and 

persecuted and defamed, although he was 
perfectly innocent, and by those particu- 
larly who pretended to be the spiritual 
leaders of the people : but he was to die ; 
the holy and spotless Lamb of God was to 
die ; the vengeance of his enemies was to 
be cooled in the blood of the unoffend- 
ing Jesus. He voluntarily submitted to 
death, that by his sacrifice sinful man 
might be reconciled to an offended God; 
that the demands of divine justice might 
be satisfied by the offering of himself. 
This was the plan and merciful counsel of 
his heavenly Father. "Wonderful coun- 
sel ! The enemies of God and Christ 
exerted all their malignant power to an- 
nihilate the word of the Lord, and be- 
hold ! they themselves complete the plan 
that was devised from everlasting. The 
bloody and ignominious death to which 
the injustice of the enemies of the guiltless 
Jesus condemned him, was destined by the 
counsel of God, to redeem our race from 
eternal misery. The prophet Isaiah long 
before declared : 



COMMUNICANTS COMPANION. lo 

46 Surely our infirmities he hath borne *, 
And our sorrows he hath carried them ; 
Yet we thought him judicially stricken, 
Smitten of God and afflicted. 
But he was wounded for our transgressions, 
Was smitten for our iniquities ; 
The chastisement by which our peace is ef- 
fected, was laid upon him ; 
And by his bruises we are healed.* — Lowth. 

John the Baptist also testifies of him, 
Behold the Lamb of Grod that taketh away 
the sin of the world. Jesus also prophe- 
sied of himself, The Son of man shall be 
betrayed into the hands of men, and they 
shall kill him ; but at the same time he 
taught " that he should lay down his life 
for the redemption of many/' 

Happy are we ! he brought the offering, 
the offering of atonement, — he who knew 
no sin, was made a sin offering for us, that 
we might have redemption through his. 
blood, even the forgiveness of sins^ Won- 
derful love and mercy! a dying mortal can- 
not sufficiently praise thee, Lord Jesus ! 

* Read the 53d chapter of Isaiah. 



76 catechumen's and 

Thou Kedeemer of the world! who can 
measure thy blessings, who count the ben- 
efits which thou hast bestowed upon us ; 
who can number the hosts of believers who 
in future generations will rejoice in thy 
service and appreciate thy glorious merits! 
How many in every quarter of the globe, 
will find in thee consolation, rest, re- 
freshment and peace for their souls ! Thou 
didst not suffer and die merely for one peo- 
ple or generation. Thy divine plan em- 
braced all nations, people and kindred. It 
is thy will that all should be saved and 
come to a knowledge of the truth. 

I, a poor sinner, a perishing mortal, bless 
thee, the divine benefactor. I am also in- 
cluded in the number of the redeemed. 
Without thee I have no secure ground of 
faith, no steadfast support for my weak- 
ness,— no sure anchor of hope. 

But the founder of the Holy Supper is 
also my king, and will be my future judge. 
Though he has left the world, yet he is 
deeply interested in its welfare. He has 
not left it for ever, but he will come again. 
We are informed in the Scriptures that 



COMMUNICANTS COMPANION. 7T 

forty clays after his resurrection he ascend- 
ed into heaven, where he sitteth at the 
right hand of the majesty of God, far above 
all principality, and power, and might 
and dominion. He will come again in ail 
his glory, and with all his holy angels, 
and before him shall be assembled all the 
nations of the earth, to be judged in right- 
eousness. Every one shall receive accord- 
ing to the deeds done in the body. He is 
appointed Lord of creation, and before him 
every knee shall bow and every heart do 
homage. He governs the world, and will 
judge men at the latter day of trial. Then 
my eternal doom will be fixed, and oh ! 
that I may be found among those at thy 
right hand, rejoicing in the prospect of the 
heavenly crown. 

This, then, is he who instituted the Holy 
Supper. Thus I must always represent 
him to my mind. I must contemplate him 
in the majesty of the Son of Grod, — look 
constantly to the benefits and glorious ad- 
vantages he bestowed upon mankind, — 
and ever acknowledge his might and au- 
thority, as the Lord and judge of the world! 



78 catechumen's and 



CHAPTEE XYII. 
Institution of the LoroVs Supper, 

Truly it is only necessary to reflect upon 
tlie character of the founder of this Sacra- 
ment, to he persuaded of the profound ven- 
eration in which it should be held. He is 
God himself manifested in the flesh, and 
is it possible that we could regard this 
ordinance with indifference ? He is our 
Bedeemer, and could we be so ungrateful 
as to undervalue this monument of his dy- 
ing love? He is our Lord and Judge, and 
could we be so regardless of our dearest 
interests, and so thoughtless of futurity as 
willingly to disobey his commandment? 

But the Holy Supper will appear still 
more important and worthy of reverence, 
when we consider the time and circum- 
stances of its institution. 

After three years of untiring and most 
successful exertion to do good among men, 
the time arrived when the work of his mis- 



communicant's companion. T9 

sion was to be accomplished, and his life 
laid down for the redemption of the world. 
For the last time he traveled to Jerusalem 
with his disciples, to celebrate the Jewish 
feast of the Passover. He plainly foretold 
his death. He might easily have avoided 
this melancholy end ; but he willingly and 
boldly goes forth to meet a severe and cer- 
tain death. Yet his soul was employed 
with thoughts about the sufferings he was 
shortly to endure. His discourses evidently 
evinced that fact. The day approaches; 
the day of the Redemption of man, but 
alas ! the dying day of the immaculate Son 
of God! He celebrated the feast of the 
Passover with his disciples. It was night. 
Judas was also present. Jesus knew the 
infamous deed the traitor was meditating. 
His end drew nigh. The morning of his 
dying day soon broke upon the world. But 
the night ! ah ! what did the preceding 
night witness ! His murderers are ready 
for the onset. Disorder and commotion 
reign among the enemies of Christ. As- 
semblies convened, and measures for his 



80 cathechumen's and 

apprehension were devised. A fiendish joy 
thrills through their vengeful hearts. The 
friends of Jesus yet surround him, but how 
long ? From them whom his soul loved, he 
was to be separated ; they who were by far 
not yet prepared to perform the duties of 
their high vocation, — who were yet weak 
and not confirmed in the faith, were to lose 
their friend and greatest support. He was 
buoyant with health and life, but at the 
end of another day he was to be pale in the 
cold embrace of death ! Every circumstance 
that could embitter the death of a man, 
was to be experienced by him. But yet he 
would finish the work he had undertaken ; 
his resolution did not waver, he did not 
shrink from his determination. Oh ! my 
Saviour! what were thy feelings on that 
doleful night I Thou knewest well that the 
hour of thy death was nigh. Thou sawest 
thyself already in the hands of thy infuri- 
ate enemies, abandoned by thy friends and 
all the world. Already didst thou feel the 
crown of thorns wounding thy innocent 
head, and bear the cruel indignities heaped 



communicant's companion. 81 

upon thee ! Already didst thou hear the 
sentence of a bloody death, and the shouts 
of the murderous mob,— already sawest 
thou thy cross erected on Golgotha, — and 
pains and agonies that cannot be uttered, 
already tormented thee. What a night 
was that! In spirit I translate myself to the 
" upper chamber" in which thou wert pre- 
sent with thy disciples for the last time. 
I see the twelve around thee, and among 
them Judas, the son of perdition. I see 
thee, blessed Eedeemer — I see in thy pallid 
countenance the very image of innocence, 
of deep sincerity and resignation to the 
divine will — I see thy bosom heave with 
emotion, but it is not fear. 

The feast is ended : with certain death 
before thee, and pierced with the pain of 
separating from thy friends, thou takest 
the bread, and casting an eye of gratitude 
toward heaven, thou breakest it and givest 
it to thy disciples, uttering words ever to 
be held in profound veneration. " Take 
andr eat, this is my body, which is given 
for you ; do this in remembrance of me ;" 
8 



82 catechumen's and 

and then the cup; "this cup is the New 
Testament in my blood, which is shed for 
you and for many ; for the remission of 
sins." 

Thus the Supper of the New Testament 
is instituted. It was done the night in 
which the Lord was betrayed, and sur- 
rounded by the terrors of death. "We know 
the occurrences of that dreadful night. 
Judas left the company. Christ opens his 
heart yet more freely to his friends ; the 
tone of his discourse is more tender and 
confidential. We hear the last words of a 
loving friend, the admonition of a faithful 
teacher ; the consolation of the adorable 
Son of God, and the solemn prayer of the 
dying Redeemer for his disconsolate disci- 
ples, and for all who through their word 
should believe on him. But now the dread- 
ful hour had arrived. They leave the 
chamber dejected ; they walk toward Greth- 
semane. The soul of Jesus is sorrowful 
even unto death. Sweat, like drops of 
blood, fall upon the ground. He resigns 
himself to the will of his heavenly Father. 



communicant's companion. 83 

The mob is already there with swords and 
lanthorns ; the Son of God is delivered into 
the hands of sinners, bound and hurried 
away to the judgment seat. Thus ended 
the night in which the Supper was insti- 
tuted. He did not survive the next night. 
Mocked^ insulted, crowned with thorns, 
and condemned, the holy and innocent Je- 
sus bled before night on Calvary. 

I also am guilty of the death of the Lord ; 
for my sake did he submit to be ranked 
among sinners, — for my sins he endured 
the pains of the cross. By his gracious 
sufferings and death, he purchased for me 
a hope of reconciliation with God, consola- 
tion in this life, and the happiness of hea- 
ven in that which is to come. Think of 
this, oh my soul ! that thy most gracious 
friend, greatest benefactor, thy Eedeemer 
from eternal misery, instituted the last Sup- 
per, just as he was about to shed his blood 
for thy sake, with the agony and terror of 
a bitter death before him. He addresses 
thee also in those memorable words : " This 
do in remembrance of me." It is his last 



84 catechumen's anx> 

request — his last exhortation, uttered in 
that terrible hour when he contended with 
all the powers of hell, that I might be re- 
deemed from eternal perdition. The last 
Supper is the dying bequest of my Saviour: 
Can I be so ungrateful as to forget, despise, 
or undervalue this sacred institution of my 
magnanimous deliverer and most faithful 
friend? Let it be regarded by me as most 
sacred! It was established while agony 
and terror harrowed up his inmost soul ; 
while the dreadful hour approached in 
which for me and my sins he willingly 
walked to Calvary, to his cross. I will 
celebrate this blessed feast, and have my 
soul refreshed with his heavenly grace. 
This is a most solemn duty I owe to my 
Lord and master, and may I perform it 
with all humility and reverence ! 



communicant's companion. 85 



CHAPTEK XVII. 

Reflections preparatory to receiving the Supper, 

JESUS IN GETHSEMANE. 

In the preceding meditation, my chris- 
tian reader, we saw the Saviour in the 
midst of his disciples, at the feast of the 
passover. We remember with what deep 
emotion he spake to them, and how much 
more solemn he rendered the hour by the 
institution of a sacred ordinance. When 
the feast was concluded, Jesus left the city 
with his disciples as he was accustomed to 
do, towards evening. Not far from Jeru- 
salem there was a garden called Gethsem- 
ane, where Jesus had often been before, 
and where quite alone he had spent many 
a melancholy hour. Thither he directed 
his way, and the whole company crossed 
the brook of Kedron, which was near Geth- 
semane. Here Christ chose three of his 
disciples, Peter, James and John, and went 
with them into the garden. 
8* 



86 catechumen's and 

It was night, — profound silence reigned 
throughout all nature. The cool breezes 
and solemn silence of the evening refresh 
many a wanderer, but this was a night of 
agony to Jesus. "My soul/' said he, "is 
exceeding sorrowful, even unto death." 
With these words he left his disciples, and 
at a short distance from them, he threw 
himself upon the ground, and prayed : — 
" Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass 
from me ; yet not mine, but thy will be 
done." Thus much the disciples under- 
stood, but they were wearied, fell asleep, 
and thus Jesus found them upon his re- 
turn. Alas! alas! he had none to condole 
with him ; none to sympathize with the 
sorrows and anguish of his soul. 

Oh! my christian brother, if you suffer in 
silence, and are tormented with secret sor- 
rows, look upon Jesus, and see how he 
mourned alone in Gethsemane ! You have, 
perhaps, one friend to whom you can un- 
bosom your heart, and tell your tale of 
woe; oh! if your heavy laden soul can be 
alleviated — if you can relate your sorrows 



communicant's companion. 87 

to another — if the tears of your friends and 
their condolence are balsam to your pain- 
ful heart, look to the Eedeemer and feel 
how much better your condition is, than 
his was on that melancholy night. What 
words of lonely sorrow did he not utter : 
" Could ye not watch with me one hour ?" 
He here felt the bitterness of solitary suf- 
fering, and yet he looks upon his disciples, 
and pities their forlorn condition, and says, 
"Watch and pray, lest ye enter into tempt- 
ation/' 

Consider, my dear reader, what the Sa- 
viour spoke to his heedless disciples. You 
also are often careless, and surrounded by 
many temptations, and yet you live as 
though no danger were to be apprehended. 
How often has not your want of caution 
nearly brought you into gross transgres- 
sion ? How often have you not done and 
spoken that which you cannot answer to 
Gi-od and your conscience ? Let me tell you, 
christian brother, no day of your life passes 
without many temptations ; you are living 
in the enemy's country, where every ad- 



88 catechumen's and 

vantage of your own imagined security is 
taken, and every means employed to betray 
you into sin. Therefore, hear what the 
Saviour says : u Watch and pray, lest you 
enter into temptation." 

The disciples but too soon forgot their 
Master's warning. Their infirmity over- 
came them the second time. They must 
have observed something unusual in the 
conduct of Jesus, for he went again and 
prostrated himself and prayed : " My Fa- 
ther, if it be possible, let this cup pass from 
me." But when he returned, he found 
them asleep again. He did not reprove 
them — he pitied their weakness, and so let 
them remain; and went again, that he 
might mourn before Him who alone did 
not forsake him, and pray to Him who alone 
could mitigate his sorrows, and strengthen 
him for the terrible conflict. He prayed 
ardently; his venerable face was bedewed 
with sweat, and it fell like drops of blood to 
the ground: but the Father heard him, and 
fortified his fainting soul. 

What are your feelings, my reader, when 



communicant's companion. 89 

you see Jesus lying on the ground, and 
praying for the help of his Father, while 
he endured that awful struggle ! In the 
deepest agony he looked towards God; and 
it was in deepest sorrow, though in perfect 
resignation to the will of God, that he 
prays — " Not my will, but thine be done." 
What an example for you, my christian 
friend ! Why do you go about with anguish 
corroding your heart, and despair in your 
countenance ? Oh ! go into your chamber 
and prostrate yourself before God ; pour 
out your heart in secret before your heav- 
enly Father, who sees in secret and hears 
your cries. But pray, also, as Christ did : 
" Not my will, but thine be done/' Ah ! 
the spirit of Christ dwells not in you, if 
sorrow and anguish estrange youfrom God, 
instead of bringing you nearer to him ; 
and you cannot be altogether a christian, 
if, in the severest affliction you cannot 
pray, " Not my will, but thine be done/' 
But if you can thus sincerely pray, how 
much heavenly consolation and strength, 
will not your prayer bring down from 
above ! 



90 catechumen's and 

After Jesus had thus ardently supplica- 
ted his Father, he returned to his disciples, 
strengthened in his soul. His hour, that 
terrible hour had arrived. The Saviour 
encouraged them: "Now sleep on, and 
take your rest ; behold the hour is at hand, 
and the Son of man is betrayed into the 
hands of sinners/' An armed mob ap- 
proaches, and it is evident their object is 
to apprehend the Lord. Jesus is prepared, 
and resolutely goes to meet them, and 
asks, " whom seek ye ?" They answered, 
Jesus of Nazareth — and Jesus said, "lam 
he." This word had a wonderful, an un- 
expected effect. Scarcely had he uttered 
them, when they fell back upon the ground ! 
Let the despisers of Jesus, and mockers of 
his name, contemplate him while in Geth- 
semane. Let them see these unfeeling, 
rash and presumptuous men, lying at the 
feet of the Lord. A fearful shuddering 
seizes them, and for the moment, they can- 
not endure the sight of Jesus. Thus will 
all his enemies fall down at his feet in the 
dust before him, when he shall come in all 



communicant's companion. 91 

his glory to judge the world. Truly, it is 
a most uncommon and unexpected thing to 
see this ruthless mob lying at the feet of 
him whom they came to apprehend. Jesus 
must again tell them that he was the man 
whom they were commissioned to seek, for 
they w^ere perfectly astounded and over- 
come. Now Judas the traitor steps for- 
ward. A kiss, with which he salutes his 
master, was to designate to the mob whom 
they should seize. Jesus knew what this 
kiss meant; sorrowfully he spoke to his 
betrayer, " Friend, wherefore art thou 
come ?" Ye who mourn over treacherous 
friends, contemplate often this action of the 
Saviour. It may pain you when your love 
and favors are bestowed upon the ungrate- 
ful. It may wound you deeply when those 
whom you treated with kindness, betray 
your confidence; yet reflect that Jesus 
suffered infinitely more than you can, and 
how does he treat his betrayer ? Not with 
impetuous vehemence, not with embittered 
rancor, not with passionate reproof. He 
looks upon him sorrowfully, and utters 



92 catechumen's and 

only these words, " Friend, wherefore art 
thou come ?" Now the savage soldiery fall 
upon Jesus. The disciples look upon it, 
with bleeding hearts. The fiery Peter 
could no longer restrain himself. He rushes 
on and smites one of the servants with his 
sword, but fortunately cut off only .an ear. 
Jesus turned and with the mildest earnest- 
ness said, "Put up thy sword ; thinkest 
thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, 
and he shall presently give me more than 
twelve legions of angels ; — the cup which 
my Father hath given me, shall I not 
drink it ?" What words ! and how worthy 
of being remembered by you, my friend, 
who are in danger of being tempted to re- 
lieve yourself of a burden, or deliver your- 
self from care in a rash and unlawful man- 
ner. See, how Jesus, your master, con- 
ducted himself in the hour of the greatest 
danger. He does not exert himself to be 
delivered from his sufferings against his 
Father's will, and he does not permit 
others to deliver him. 

Jesus now resigned himself into the 



communicant's companion. 93 

hands of his enemies, and the disciples 
saw that all was over. They became 
alarmed and betook themselves to flight, 
careful only of their own safety. They 
were not pursued, the soldiers being satis- 
fied with having apprehended Jesus. He 
is now bound, and under the guard of an 
armed company, he is led away as a mal- 
efactor. 

Now, christian reader, let all these 
things which we have contemplated be 
vividly presented to your mind. Here 
lies Jesus in the dust, praying and con- 
tending with the agonies of death. All 
around is silent, — the disciples themselves 
are asleep. He only is deprived of rest. 
While the poorest are reposing, the most 
terrible anguish racks the soul of Jesus ; 
sweat like blood covers his face, and, lying 
on the ground, he prays, " Father, if it be 
possible, let this cup pass from me/' 

"What a dreadful place was the garden 

of Gethsemane in that memorable night ! 

The Son of God lay panting, groaning, 

praying on the ground ! What angony, 

9 



94 catechumen's and 

Saviour, didst tliou not endure ! No 
dying man ever suffered so before ! I 
shudder at the sight, — my heart almost 
breaks when I hear thee crying to the 
Father, — and all this thou didst volun- 
tarily suffer I It might have been pre- 
vented, but thou wouldst not. Love for 
man inclined thee to suffer without resist- 
ance. love beyond degree, and I, also 
a poor sinful being, am interested therein. 
While I see thee, Son of G-od, in Greth- 
semane, full of the terrors of death — see 
thee bound by sinners, and led away like 
a common criminal, I at the same time see 
thee as my loving friend and suffering Ee- 
deemer. Thou didst endure the horrors 
of that night for my sake. Incomprehen- 
sible love! how could I forget it! My 
whole heart shall be dedicated to thee, 
my whole life shall be consecrated to thee, 
and when at last I lie down to die, I will 
think of thee, and with my latest breath, 
will call upon and praise thy name. 



communicant's companion. 95 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

Jesus on Calvary. 

You have already seen enough of Jesus, 
christian reader, to excite within you 
sentiments of reverence for his majesty 
and glory; and with emotions of love and 
gratitude for his unexampled goodness. 
Whoever distinguished himself as he did 
by so much disinterested benevolence, and 
who ever like Jesus exerted himself with 
such untiring diligence solely for the good 
of others ? His love was not confined to 
the people of his own generation and coun- 
try, but it embraced the whole human 
family without exception. Let us enter 
upon the contemplation of his death, and 
it may awaken within us feelings of sacred 
veneration and most devout gratitude. 

Direct your attention towards Calvary, 
and what do you behold ? A crowd of 
savage men, and in the midst of them the 
innocent Jesus, in a condition of suffering 



yb CATECHUMEN S AND 

calculated to rouse all the sympathies of 
the soul — beside him is the cross, upon 
which, already lacerated with stripes, he 
is to endure the last agony of death, — he 
is stripped, his hands and feet nailed to 
the cross, and in a few minutes he is sus- 
pended between two malefactors, for whom 
a more severe and shameful punishment 
than crucifixion could not be devised. 
What a sight we have before us ! Jesus, 
in whom no sin was found, whose only 
employment it was to go about and do 
good, who in the prosecution of this over- 
looked his own convenience, and freely 
chose a life of trouble and pain. Jesus^ 
for whom no honor would have been too 
great, no love too ardent, and no gratitude 
too warm, must endure^ a death which the 
heart of sensibility would deem too horri- 
ble for the most abandoned criminal. Do 
you know, dear reader, what it is to suffer 
innocently ; then look upon Jesus and be 
still. No man so guiltless as he, and yet 
no man more cruelly treated, more bar- 
barously put to death, — and yet he utters 



communicant's companion. 9*T 

no imprecation against his enemies — not 
the least exasperation is evident. He suf- 
fers submissively ; and yet one expression 
falls from his lips, but it is not that of 
murmuring, ah, no! but "Father, forgive 
them, for they know not what they do/' 
He prays for his murderers, when the 
pains, which they occasion, are most se- 
verely felt. What surpassing majesty 
and greatness does not Jesus exhibit in 
the hour of his deepest humiliation ! Ad- 
mire, my reader, admire the majesty of 
Jesus, which was never more gloriously 
displayed than in this prayer for his ene- 
mies ; how humble and ashamed should 
you be, when you have forgotten the 
words of the Saviour : " Love your ene- 
mies, bless them that curse you, do good 
to them that hate you, and pray for them 
which despitefully use you and persecute 
you." Matt, v, 44. Jesus had enemies 
such as you never can have. It was not 
enough that he permitted himself to be 
condemned to the cross, but from the cross 
he must witness their diabolical joy at his 
9* 



98 catechumen's and 

sufferings, and hear their language of in- 
sult and mockery. Even one of the male- 
factors crucified with him, reviled him, so 
determined did they appear to render him 
miserable even in his last hours. And yet 
Jesus, when he " was reviled, reviled not 
again ; when he suffered, he threatened 
not." But when he heard the other male- 
factor praying, " Lord, remember me 
when thou comest in thy kingdom," in 
the midst of all his suffering, his sym- 
pathy and love for the man were so pow- 
erfully excited, that with joyous feelings 
he spake these words of consolation to the 
unhappy sufferer: " Verily I say unto 
thee, to-day shalt thou be with me in par- 
adise." Thus Jesus blessed and did good 
even while hanging and bleeding on the 
cross,, and contending with death in its 
most horrible form ; and with what emo- 
tion did he not look upon his mother, who 
stood at the foot of the cross, in company 
with the disciple whom Jesus loved^ the 
amiable John. Woman, said he, behold 
thy son ! and to the disciple he said, be- 



communicant's companion. 99 

hold thy mother ! What an example of 
tender solicitude did not the suffering, 
dying Saviour exhibit for his own rela- 
tives ! Surely his benevolent heart was 
no stranger to sorrow when he looked 
upon his mourning mother and weeping 
disciple ! 

The agonies of Jesus must have been 
truly keen, when he cried out, " My God, 
my God, why hast thou forsaken me ?" 
christian, however intense your sufferings 
may be, still they are nothing to what Je- 
sus endured in that awful moment when he 
uttered these melancholy words. If Jesus 
could thus lament, we should all be silent ; 
our sufferings can never equal those which 
he endured. " I thirst/' thus in his sor- 
rows did the Saviour cry from the cross. 
When burning thirst torments him, he 
must call upon the sympathies of men for 
refreshment, and nothing is given him but 
vinegar and gall. Cruel people, that could 
mock him in his agony ! 

The moment of death draws near. Jesus 
feels it, and as a wearied man after the 



100 catechumen's and 

labors of the day sees the evening approach 
with joy, so he looked for the moment of 
his dissolution. That great and arduous 
work which was given him of the Father 
to do, was near its completion. The dying 
Saviour cried, " It is finished ; Father, into 
thy hands I commend my spirit/' — he 
bowed his head — closed his eyes, his spirit 
fled, and he died. 

Dear christian reader, you must also die. 
Your hours are counted, and who knows 
how far distant the last may be ! Be care- 
ful that in your last hour the retrospect 
upon your past life may comfort and 
strengthen you. If you have faithfully 
performed all your duties, and fought the 
good fight, you may go to your grave con- 
soled, and in your dying moment say, 
" Father, into thy hands I commend my 
spirit/' 

Again look at Jesus upon the cross. — 
What a severe struggle he had to encoun- 
ter, and yet with what patience and resig- 
nation to his Father's will, does he not suf- 
fer ! He might have avoided it, but he 



communicant's companion. 101 

would not, because his bloody death was 
essential to the work which his Father 
gave him to do. Thus he was obedient 
unto death, even the death of the cross. 

Know, christian, that all this shame 
and agony are endured for your sake. The 
faithful Shepherd lays down his life for the 
sheep. He shed his blood, which cleanses 
from all sin. The dying Son of God is 
your friend, such an one as you have not 
on earth. He is your Saviour, who to re- 
deem and make you happy, spared not his 
own life. Who can love as Jesus loved ? 
How can you remunerate his love ? Even 
if you could die for him, how little would 
be done ? Let then the duty be still more 
sacred to you of dedicating your life to him. 
You are no longer your own, for Jesus has 
bought you with his blood ; then you must 
no longer live for yourself, but for him 
who died for you. You must not refuse for 
the sake of your crucified Lord, u to crucify 
your flesh, together with the lusts and de- 
sires/' Hear what the Saviour declares, 
" If any man will come after me, let him 



102 



CATECHUMENS AND 



deny himself, and take up his cross, and 
follow me. Matt. xvi, 24. Yea, Lord, I 
will follow thee — to whom I shall go, for 
thou hast the words of eternal life ? Who 
else could give me what thou dost promise? 
I will not forsake thee, but cleave to thee 
in life and in death. Amen. 



communicant's companion. 103 



CHAPTER XIX. 
Design of the Lord's Sujiper. 

" This do in remembrance of me" These 
v/ords of our Saviour already exhibit the 
object he had in view when he instituted 
this ordinance, and commanded it to be 
celebrated by his followers. It is intend- 
ed that they should by this means be re- 
minded of his sufferings and death in the 
most impressive manner. In this sacra- 
ment he is represented before us in the 
most interesting aspect, and devout chris- 
tians of every age bear testimony to the 
immense spiritual benefits arising from a 
frequent and worthy celebration of the 
dying love of Jesus in this solemn rite. 

With great wisdom did the Lord choose 
the night before his sufferings, and the last 
of his presence with his disciples, as the 
time for instituting this sacrament. It was 
indeed a terrible night ! Who can think 



104 catechumen's and 

of it without strong emotions ? I see thee, 
blessed Saviour, in that solemn hour, sur- 
rounded by thy disciples. Sorrowfully dost 
thou still sit among them, but the thrilling 
earnestness of thy conversation, the inex- 
pressible solemnity of all thy actions, thy 
look of tender sadness, the deep anxiety of 
soul so visible in thy countenance, all ex- 
hibit thee as the lamb of G-ocl, which in a few 
more hours is to be led to the slaughter. 
Thou didst foretaste the bitter agonies of 
death, and didst already suffer the cruel- 
ties of those who thirsted for thy blood. 

I understand, my Saviour, why thou hast 
commanded me to celebrate this feast. It 
is necessary for me frequently to look upon 
thee, and no where dost thou represent 
thyself, so wonderfully as in the Supper. 
My soul is awed into reverence. I see thee 
near thy glorious martyrdom, — on the way 
to the cross. My spirit follows thee to 
Calvary, — there thou art, Lamb of God! 
bleeding and struggling in the agonies of 
death. What a view! it penetrates my in- 
most soul ! How forcible do thy words now 



communicant's companion. 105 

appear : " This is my body— this is my 
"blood." Thou givest me thyself, that my 
soul may be refreshed by this life-giving 
food. 

You also, my christian friend, must con- 
template Christ in no other light, when 
you go to the holy Supper. " This he did 
also for me." This should excite you to love 
him with the whole heart, for he first loved 
you and sacrificed his life in love for you. 
He speaks to you as it were in language 
like this : See, my son, my daughter, how 
much suffering thou hast occasioned me. 
This I have done for thee, out of pure love. 
My design was to rescue thee from eternal 
misery. Thus I love thee now,- — my son, 
my daughter, shouldst thou love the world 
more than me? Canst thou deny me thy 
heart, after I delivered my life for thee at 
the cross ? 

Thus, christian, the Lord speaks to you 
in the supper, not indeed in audible words, 
but in a language which the heart under- 
stands, as soon as it sets its affections on 
him, — and this will be the answer of a feel- 
10 



106 catechumen's and 

ing heart, " No, Lord, I will not leave thee* 
My heart sliall be for ever devoted to thee. 
I love thee above all things, — and I aban- 
don all sinful enjoyments of the world for 
thy sake/' When you can speak this lan- 
guage with unfeigned sincerity, then chris- 
tian friend, one object of the Lord in the 
institution of the supper is accomplished in 
you. 

But the design extended still further. — 
This sacrament was instituted at a social 
festival, so that we should enjoy the supper 
in communion with each other. How for- 
cible does this object appear in this ordi- 
nance! Jesus knew well how to speak to the 
heart and to impress upon men the law o£ 
love, the chief law of his doctrine. Look 
then, christian, upon those who surround the 
table with you. They also are dear to Jesus, 
and they also have received the pledges of 
his love. As they enjoy in common with you 
the holy supper, so they have in common 
with you the fruits of redemption. With 
what fraternal love should you then regard 
your fellow communicants. You have the 
same Saviour, and the bonds of christian af- 



communicant's companion. 107 

fection should unite you closely together. 
"This is my commandment, says Christ, that 
ye love one another, as I have loved you/' 
and "By this shall all men know that ye are 
my disciples, if ye have love one to another/' 
To excite us to the practice of these du- 
ties, and to impress the command of our 
Saviour, "to take up the cross and follow 
him/' more deeply on our hearts, is mani- 
festly one object of the Holy Supper. Of 
whom is it, christian friend, that we are re- 
minded in this sacrament? It is not only 
of the crucified Jesus — hut also of the risen 
Eedeemer, — of him who has ascended to 
heaven, and who in his present state of ex- 
altation possesses all power in heaven and 
earth, and who has promised that he would 
he with, us until the end of the world. — 
Then, my soul, be thou exalted to heaven, 
for there thou hast thy most faithful, best, 
and most worthy friend. In heaven shalt 
thou be united with him as he has promised. 
"Father/' thus he spake while jet on earth, 
" Father, I will that where I am, these 
may also be." This should wean our souls 



108 catechumen's and 

from the world, for how mean and grovel- 
ing are not its best enjoyments, in com- 
parison with the fellowship of Jesus. 

Consider again, how full of meaning are 
the words of the blessed Lord : " Do this 
in remembrance of me." You are to think 
of the love of Christ for you, that your 
affection for him may become more intense; 
of his love for all mankind, that you may 
be excited to love your brethren, — of his 
self-denial, that you may be inclined to 
deny yourself, — of his death, that you may 
be humble, — and finally, of his exaltation, 
that you may become more heavenly- 
minded. 

It is, moreover, plain that the Saviour 
had still another object in view. When he 
says, "He that confesseth me before men, 
him will I confess before my heavenly 
Father/' we learn that it is his will that 
we openly profess his name before the 
world, and manifest by some external sign 
our devotedness to his cause. This is made 
manifest when we partake of the Holy 
Supper, so that we can regard it as a rite 



communicant's companion. 109 

by which we solemnly profess Christ before 
all the world. As the partaking of the 
passoverwas an open profession of Judaism, 
so is the partaking of the supper the sign 
whereby christians are distinguished. Now 
we comprehend this declaration, " as often 
as ye eat of this bread and drink of this 
cup, ye do show forth the Lord's death till 
he come/' The meaning of these words is, 
that you shall in this ordinance give evi- 
dence to the painful death of Jesus, hereby 
acknowledging that you expect deliver- 
ance only from him who was crucified, and 
ground your hope of salvation only on him, 
according to the words, "No other name is 
given under heaven, whereby we can be 
saved/' 

Eegarded in this light, the holy supper 
receives particular importance. When 
you, my christian friend, partake of it, you 
swear allegiance to Jesus Christ, and call 
upon the whole congregation to witness 
your acknowledgment of him as your Lord, 
and you obligate yourself to follow him in 
all things. You then also disclaim the 
10* 



110 catechumen's and 

world and sin ; and declare an eternal hos- 
tility against that which brought the 
Saviour to the cross. One thing is espe- 
cially to be observed; should you forget 
your solemn vow of fidelity. — should you 
live in habitual sin, this ordinance will at 
the day of judgment be your accuser, and 
you will be regarded as a covenant-breaker, 
and rebel against Jesus. 

Brethren, reflect how important a thing 
it is to approach the table of the Lord, — 
think of the design which he had in view 
when he instituted the ordinance, — pray 
that his will may be done in you, and that 
you may receive all the blessings which 
this sacrament is intended to bestow. 

Here at thy table, Lord, we meet, 

To feed on food divine; 
Thy body is the bread we eat, 

Thy precious blood the wine. 



communicant's companion. Ill 



CHAPTEK XX . 

Doctrine of the Lor dPs Supper. 

The sacrament of the Holy Supper is one 
of the most solemn and important institu- 
tions about which our minds can be em- 
ployed. Jesus, the Eedeemer of men, can 
command nothing to be done which does 
not advance our happiness, and which is 
not of supreme excellence. If we contem- 
plate the ordinance itself, we see exhib- 
ited the greatness of his love to us, for in it 
he most intimately unites himself with us, 
and appropriates that salvation purchased 
by his sufferings and death. This sacra- 
ment was instituted under circumstances 
the most remarkable. He had just fin- 
ished the celebration of a solemn Jewish fes- 
tival, and eaten the passover, when he com- 
manded his disciples, in future, instead of 
the Passover, to celebrate the ordinance he 
was about to establish, in commemoration 
of him. 



112 catechumen's and 

The Jewish ceremonial law, to which the 
Passover belonged, was now fulfilled, and 
Jesus relieved his followers of that bur- 
densome yoke. This feast was held to com- 
memorate the deliverance of the Jews from 
Egyptian bondage, which was a type of 
the future deliverance of the whole human 
family by the Eedeemer. This redemption 
was now to be accomplished, and hence 
Jesus founded this ordinance the very night 
on which he entered upon his atoning suf- 
ferings, as the Passover was eaten for the 
first time the night before the departure 
out of Egypt. The Hefty Supper is also an 
eternal monument of his bitter sufferings 
and glorious atoning death. Upon that 
Passover which preceded the deliverance 
from Egyptian slavery, was grounded the 
covenant which God afterwards made with 
the Jews, and according to which they be- 
came his perpetual people. Exod. xix, 4, 
5, 6. Hence every subsequent celebration 
of the Passover was a solemn renewal of 
the covenant. In his ordinance, Jesus made 
a new covenant with men, in which are in- 



communicant's companion. 113 

eluded the heathen as well as the Jews. 
Hence he says, " This cup is the New Tes- 
tament in my blood/' that is, f through my 
blood a new covenant is made with men. 
I will offer myself a sacrifice for them, to 
procure for them the forgiveness of their 
sins and purchase them for mine own." As 
often then as we partake of the supper, so 
often do we renew this covenant. 

It is easy to perceive the object the Sa- 
viour had in view, when he appointed the 
Supper, if we properly observe his words. 
He commands us to do this in remembrance 
of him. He requires us to have him, his 
sufferings, and whole redemption, continu- 
ally in mind, and for that purpose this feast 
has been instituted. He desires to make us 
partakers of the fruits of all his redemption, 
and he bestows these upon us in this solemn 
ordinance. It becomes us to consider this 
two-fold object a little more extensively. 

Our Saviour twice makes this declaration, 
" This do in remembrance of me," which 
Paul thus explains, " as often as ye eat of 
this bread and drink of this cup, ye do 



114 CATECHOIEX'S A^D 

show forth the Lord's death till he come." 
Now all this does not merely signify to be 
reminded of his death, or to confess that he 
died for ns. That would indeed he too lit- 
tle. What christian could well forget it? 
T \Then a subject is mentioned, we are often 
required to think of its causes, operations 
and results. And this, doubtless, Paul 
would hare us to do. 

The christian must think : 1st. Of the 
causes of Christ's death, and he will find 
them in the sins of the world, yea, in his 
own sins, for which Christ sacrificed him- 
self. This is the only sacrifice for sin which 
can be made, and hence Christ says: "This 
is my body which is given for you, and my 
Mood which is shed for you. 

2. He is reminded of the operations and 
results of the death of Christ, which are the 
greatest benefits that men enjoy. This 
death is the occasion of our justification, 
for the blood of Christ was shed for forgive- 
ness of sins. By it the new covenant with 
men was made, which delivered them from 
the burdensome ordinances of the Jewish 



COMMUNICANTS COMPANION. 115 

dispensation. Hence the Saviour could 
say, " this cup is the New Testament in my 
blood," 

3. He is reminded of the duties which the 
death of Christ imposes upon him. They 
are faith and love. Faith, in a joyful ac- 
ceptance of the benefits of salvation, and 
love, in obedience to the commandments., 
and in a resolute effort, for the Lord's sake, 
to love his neighbor as himself Of all 
this must the christian think, when he 
meditates upon the death of Christ But 
he must also shore forth his death, when he 
partakes of the Supper, and by this he is 
to understand that he is to represent these 
things to himself continually, that his faith 
may become strong, his love ardent, and 
that he may properly praise and magnify 
the Lord for his abundant grace bestowed 
upon us. He must come to the table with 
the deepest devotion and attention, and 
have his mind intently fixed en the solem- 
nity before him. The other object of Christ 
in the appointment of this ordinance is, that 
we may become partakers of the fruits of 
his redemption. 



116 catechumen's and 

1. The first advantage is, the increase 
and strengthening of our faith ; as we are 
justified by faith alone, we must be most 
ardently solicitous about its preservation. 
Our faith may become weak, but partaking 
of the Lord's Supper with a proper spirit 
is a most efficient means of strengthening 
it. Our faith is necessarily weak, when 
we are not well acquainted with the doc- 
trines of salvation, or when we entertain 
many errors. Hence, it is demanded of us 
to grow in the knowledge of Jesus. But 
as men are commonly tardy in the per- 
formance of their duties, those observances 
which rouse us to a sense of our duty, are 
of great utility. Our faith is strengthened, 
when we are preparing for a worthy cele- 
bration of the Supper, for we are led to the 
contemplation of many truths, by which 
our errors will be corrected, and our souls 
enlightened by the Spirit of God. We often 
fail, too, in the appropriation of these ben- 
efits to ourselves. They are much too 
great for us to hazard this; but Christ 
does for us, what we dare not do for our- 



€0MMTMICANt's COMPANION. II 1 ? 

selves, " This is my body given for youP 
When we hear such, and similar language, 
can we any longer doubt whether \Ve are 
to regard the whole merits of Christ as our 
own? What more consolatory and en- 
couraging words could be spoken! How 
should not Christ work mightily in us,, 
after he has given us his body and 
blood in the sacrament ? How should not 
he who is so solicitous about our salva- 
tion, be also anxious about preserving, 
•strengthening, and confirming our faith, 
Should he not in this respect be the finisher, 
as well as the author of our faith ? 

2. The assurance of the forgiveness of 
sin is the second advantage which the Holy 
Supper bestows. There can be no doubt 
about this, for Christ says in the words of 
the institution, "This is my blood which 
is shed for you, for the forgiveness of sin." 
This is great consolation for souls continu- 
ally tormented with doubt respecting the 
forgiveness of their sins. The whole ordi- 
nance preaches the remission of sins most 
plainly. Every believer may be assured of 
11 



118 cathechumen's and 

complete pardon, for what else can tile 
words signify? We partake of Christ's 
body, "in which he bore our sins on the 
tree." We partake of his blood ; " which 
cleanses from all sin." 

3. The worthy celebration of this ordi- 
nance creates an intimate union between 
ns and Christ ; he gives us his body and 
blood. We will be regarded by God as one 
person with Christ. He takes our sins 
upon himself, and we will be looked upon 
as though we had not sinned. He clothes 
us with his own righteousness, and we will 
be considered as having kept the whole law 
and done every thing to our own justifica- 
tion. What he has, will also be ours ; and 
through him are we made children of God 
and heirs of salvation. 

4. The certain hope of eternal life fol- 
lows from the preceding. After we have 
been closely united to Christ, our Kedeemer, 
we cannot be separated from him through- 
out eternity, if we continue faithful here/ 
He binds himself to us not only tempora- 
rily, but eternally. We then may be cer- 



communicant's companion. 119 

tain tliat as long as we do not interrupt 
this union by presumptuous sins, we will 
be with the Lord always to see the glory 
which the Father has given him ; amd to 
receive from him the crown of immortal 
life* 

* As the writer intended this work to be altogether 
practical, he thought it best to say nothing respecting the 
controverted point of the nature of Christ's presence in 
the sacrament 



120 CATECHUMENS AKD 



CHAPTER XXI. 

Blessing of the Lord in the Holy Supper. 

How unworthy and sinful a "being do I 
appear in my own view, when I stand be- 
fore Jesus my Lord at his table, and it well 
becomes me to feel sentiments of profound 
reverence. Jesus, the Lord, before whom 
whole hosts of angels bow, and I a poor 
mortal, a worm in the dust, before him t 
Jesus, the holy and righteous, and I a sin- 
ful man ! and yet for this would I praise 
my Lord and Saviour, for it is an evidence 
of his nearness and mercy, that he opens 
my eyes, and permits me to see my true 
condition. This is the first of the blessings 
which I receive in the holy sacrament. I 
thank the Lord that he humbles me, — that 
he wounds me but to heal, according to his 
tender mercy. How humble should I be 
when I reflect upon him who is so highly 
exalted. He assures me, however, that I 
am not too wretched^ though I may be pol- 



communicant's companion 121 

luted by sin ; Jesus, the holy one, declares 
that I shall not he cast off on account of 
my sins, if I sincerely repent and believe. 
He regards me worthy, — he desires to see 
me at his table, and there to enter into 
covenant with him. What an honor ! 
What happiness for such a sinner as L 
Now I dare say with the apostle, Bom. viii, 
34. "Who is he that condemneth ? it is 
Christ that died." He invites me to his 
table ; he declares himself to be my friend. 
that I may feel the full consolation of 
his words, " Go my son, my daughter, thy 
sins are forgiven thee." Now I experience 
the blessing of him who once said to sin- 
ners, " Come unto me, all ye that labor, and 
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." 
Matt xi, 28. 

The terrible curse of the law shall no 
longer thrill through my soul. I see the 
hands of Jesus full of blessings de- 
scending upon my head. Immanuel is 
here ! and the curse has been removed. I 
am now in Christ. The condemnation has 
been changed into blessing. The blood of 
11* 



122 catechumen's Amy 

Jesus in the sacrament cleanses from all 
sin. Why should I any longer fear? 
Christ is my righteousness and strength. He 
is my righteousness, Jer. xxiii, 6, and the 
thunders of the law no longer alarm me. 
The heavens are clear above me, and the 
clouds of wrath which concealed the face 
of the crucified Eedeemer have been dis- 
persed. I can look upon my God without 
the trembling of a slave. I see in him now 
the placid countenance and approving 
smile of a Father. Through the righteous- 
ness of Christ, I am well pleasing to the 
Father. Christ is my wisdom to justify 
me, my sanctification to make me holy, and 
my redemption to make me completely 
happy in worlds of unutterable joy. 

I am a pilgrim. The journey toward my 
heavenly home is far, and I am weak, but, 
blessed be Grod, Christ is my strength. I 
dare not tarry or complain. I will look to 
Jesus and receive renewed strength and 
courage. My enemies are great and nu- 
merous, but the Eedeemer will overcome 
them all. Lead thou me through every 



communicant's companion. 123 

difficulty, and in death may I cry with my 
whole heart, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, 
My soul ; dost thou believe ? Yea, Lord, 
I believe, help thou my unbelief. I be- 
lieve that thou art my righteousness and 
strength. Thy holy sacrament convinces 
me. That is the strength of the weak, a 
balsam for the afflicted in soul, medicine 
for the spiritual sick, and salvation for 
sinners. It is thy work, gracious Redeem- 
er ; and thine shall be the praise, for ever 
and ever. Amen. 



124 catechumen's and 



CHAPTER XXII. 

What must a Christian do when he desires to par- 
take of the blessings of the Holy Supper ? 

It will not be denied that we have right 
to expect peculiar blessings from a wor- 
thy celebration of the Lord's Supper. 
But have you nothing to do on your part, 
to secure to yourself these great advanta- 
ges? Permit me. my christian friend, to 
give you some fraternal advice on this sub- 
ject ; aod may it find its way to your heart, 

1. Above all things, be careful you come 
not to the table from any improper motive. 
Thus, when you come merely from habit, 
or to maintain an appearance of piety be- 
fore the world, or to please your relations, 
or under the vain hope of atoning for your 
guilt, and settling your account with God, 
or to promote your temporal advantage, or 
presuming that it will render christian 
duties unnecessary, all these prove that 
your motives are not pure, and your par- 



communicant's companion. 125 

taking of the elements would "be sinful. On 
the other hand, you are influenced by 
proper motives, when you come to the table 
of the Lord in obedience to his will, since 
he, your God and Saviour, demands it of 
you ; when you design thereby to honor 
him publicly, to strengthen your faith and 
love to him, to inflame your zeal in his 
service, to receive consolation for your 
heart, and to elevate your affections from 
earth to heaven, in communion with your 
God and Redeemer. 

2. But do not believe, my dear friend, 
that you have nothing more to do, before 
you come to the Lord's table. Let a man 
examine himself ; this the Scriptures de- 
mand. You must examine how you stand 
in relation to God, and call up your con- 
science for strict trial. I would advise you 
to engage in this examination many days 
before the celebration of the Supper, that 
you may become intimately acquainted 
with the secrets of your heart. It is proper 
that you should know your real character : 
you should conceal nothing that is evil 3 nor 



126 catechumen's and 

attempt to justify an act which, is manifest- 
ly improper. What advantage will it be 
to you, if you blind your conscience, and 
hide or seek to mitigate your faults ? You 
have to do with Grod, and He tries the reins 
and searches the heart. 

The public exercises, preparatory to the 
Supper, will be of great advantage to you, 
if you properly appreciate them. At such 
times,, much will be said that will lead 
you to a strict examination of your heart. 
Apply all the faithful exhortations of your 
pastor to yourself, and be not discouraged 
if you find self-examination rather a diffi- 
cult duty. The heart, proud and selfish, 
will not easily submit to a rigid scrutiny. 
Therefore, be on your guard, and be not 
satisfied with merely examining whether 
you avoid every thing that is evil, but also 
whether you do every thing that is good. 

You must reflect not only upon your ex- 
ternal conduct, but your thoughts, desires 
and passions, must be particularly exam- 
ined. In another part of this book you 
have a form of self-examination, which is 



communicant's companion. 127 

recommended to your frequent and diligent 
perusal. Use it conscientiously, with earn- 
est prayer to Grod for his gracious assist- 
ance. 

3. Meditate devoutly upon the Saviour 
whose sufferings and death you commemo- 
rate in the Supper. Kepresent his whole 
life before you, as devoted to the welfare of 
men. Contemplate with deep emotion his 
last agony and death ; read seriously those 
portions of this volume which relate to his 
sufferings. Then will your whole soul be 
fixed on him who died for you. Tou will 
learn, on the one hand, his merciful love 
for you, and on the other, your unfaithful- 
ness and disobedience to him. 

4. Prepare yourself for a worthy celebra- 
tion, by sincerely mourning and confessing 
your unfaithfulness and disobedience. Ap- 
proach the altar with a penitent heart, but 
also with faith and full confidence in him 
who died for you. Let not the magnitude 
or number of your transgressions create 
despair ; only fly to your Kedeemer ; he 
seeks you, he calls you, he beseeches you 



128 catechumen's and 

to come) and he will also deliver you, if 
with confidence, faith and hope, you turn 
to him 5 and throw yourself into his arms. 
You must sincerely resolve and ardently 
desire to break off the fetters of sin : " be 
renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put 
on the new man, which after Grod is created 
in righteousness a,nd true holiness/' 

5. Approach the table with an humble 
sense of your own unworthiness, When 
David sat before the Lord, he said, "Who 
am I, Lord Q-od^ and what is my (father's) 
house, that thou hast brought me hith- 
erto ?" 2 Sam. viii, 18. In such an humble 
frame of mind, go to the Holy Supper, 
The more unworthy you feel yourself to be, 
the better you are prepared to come for- 
ward; " though you must not cherish such 
suspicions of your state as will damp your 
joy in God, and discourage your hope in 
Christ, and fill you with amazement ; yet 
you must maintain such a holy jealousy of 
yourself as will keep you humble, and take 
you off from all self-confidence; such a 
jealousy, as will keep you watchful, and 
save you from sinking into carnal security/' 



COMMUNICANTS COMPANION. 129 

6. Come to the ordinance with a filial 
confidence in Glod as your father; a slavish 
fear is displeasing to him^ trembling^ 
astonishment, and confusion will be a hin- 
drance to the exercise of faith, hope, and 
love ; remember that it is the Lord's ta* 
ble, who is willing to overlook your de* 
fects, and who deals with you not in strict 
justice, but in tender mercy ; draw near, 
then, with a true heart and full assurance 
of faith. Heb.x, 22. 

7. Come in charity with all men and 
with a sincere affection to all good chris* 
tians ; come with a spirit of forgiveness 
of all the injuries that have been done to 
you ; be careful not to cherish the least de- 
gree of enmity to any person. You cannot 
expect that God will be reconciled to you, 
if you bring not with you a disposition to 
be reconciled to your brethren. 

Now, my dear friend, you know how you 
may worthily celebrate the Sacrament of 
the Supper. Fear and trembling form no 
part of the state of mind in which the Sup- 
per is to be enjoyed; gratitude and holy 
12 



130 catechumen's and 

joy should fill your soul, for it is a monu- 
ment of the tender love of Jesus. 

Ahove all this, guard against a careless 
wandering of your thoughts. Strive after 
a holy solemnity of feeling, and fix your 
mind exclusively on the subject before you. 
This you will attain, if this truth is deeply 
impressed on your mind, " Jesus Christ, 
my Mediator, exalted at the right hand of 
God, is near me,— he knows my thoughts, 
he hears my vows/' Approach the altar 
with thoughts like these : he sees me, ex- 
amines me, knows me, and is near me. — 
Let your whole soul be surrendered to 
Christ — let him stand before you. In spirit 
see how he walked on earth, dispensing 
blessings all around, and how full of love, 
he instituted the last Supper. See in spirit, 
how for your salvation he suffered in Geth- 
semane and on Calvary. Let him be to 
you all and in all ; let feelings of love and 
gratitude be mightily awakened within 
you, then will you acknowledge all your 
unworthiness and obligation to him, but 
then, also, will you feel yourself elevated 



communicant's companion. 131 

to him in faith. Then, finally, will the 
irrevocable determination be made, " I will 
no longer be the slave of sin ; I will live 
entirely for him who died for my soul." — 
You will then be in a state fit to receive 
the divine blessing. With gratitude, with 
supplication and solemn vows, you will 
partake of the Supper worthily. 
i But I entreat you not to delude your 
soul with the vain belief that your obliga- 
tion ceases when the communion is over. 
ISOy beloved friend, fruits of the heart and 
life should be made manifest from your 
partaking of the Supper. Your faith should 
become stronger, your love more ardent^ 
and your affections more holy. You must 
ever remember the solemn vows of allegi- 
ance and love to your Eedeemer which you 
then made. Your pious resolutions must 
be executed, and your protestations of fidel- 
ity conscientiously observed. But perhaps, 
you are alarmed at the prospect before you 
and apprehensive that you cannot fulfil 
your promises. Consider the following 
advice. 



132 catechumen's and 

Begin the work with God. Pray, pray 
without ceasing, for strength and grace to 
overcome the influence of sin. Avoid the 
company of the ungodly, and fly from every 
temptation. Be cautious in your conversa- 
tion, and be watchful over your thoughts 
and desires. Bead the Scriptures and other 
religious hooks prayerfully. Wean your 
heart from undue attachment to earthly 
things, — endeavor to lay aside the sin that 
most easily besets you, and become not dis- 
couraged if you fail to eradicate it entirely. 
Meditate upon the example of your Saviour 
let nothing in your power prevent you from 
hearing the word of God. Consider your- 
self under all circumstances as in the hands 
and under the eye of G od. Think of death, 
it may come soon, — think of the judgment 
day, — look upon yourself as a candidate for 
heaven and a glorious immortality, — and 
thus partake frequently of the Lord's Sup- 
per. Thus continue, faithful disciple of 
Jesus ! to pray, contend with sin and serve 
your God until your end. With how 
much profit will you then celebrate the 



communicant's companion. 133 

communion, — then yon will have fought 
the good fight, and kept the faith, and the 
crown of righteousness will be given you 
by the Lord. 

When, during the administration of the 
ordinance, the minister approaches you, 
lift up your heart full of thoughts like the 
following : — 

On taking the Bread. 

I desire to remember Jesus Christ dying 
on the cross. 

I believe that he gave himself for us an 
offering and a sacrifice to God. 

Let me now receive out of his fulness all 
I need. 

I trust in him alone for eternal life. 

I take Christ for my only Saviour and 
Lord. 

I give myself to his service. 

I look forward to his coming again. 

At drinking the Wine. 

I desire to remember that his blood was 
shed for me. 
12* 



134 catechumen's akd 

I believe that his blood cleanseth from 
all sin. 

I mourn for my many sins that pierced 
him. 

I humbly lay claim to the New Covenant 
blessings. 

I freely and heartily forgive all my ene- 
mies. 

I desire ardently to love all the people 
of Christ. 

All praise be to God for his unspeakable 
gift. 



communicant's companion. 135 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

Upon the excuses for not going to the Lortfs 
Supper. 

The declaration of Scripture, " he that 
eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and 
drinketh damnation to himself/' 1 Cor. xi, 
29, has sometimes deterred many good 
people from the table of the Lord, but this 
has arisen from a misapprehension of the 
words. This language was addressed to 
the Corinthians, who disregarded the sol- 
emn ordinance which showed forth the 
Lord's death, and did not distinguish be- 
tween it and a common meal ; " they did 
not discern the Lord's body;" and be- 
came actually intoxicated during the 
celebration of the Supper. The word 
translated " damnation," properly means 
judgment; and does not refer to punish- 
ment hereafter. The apostle means that, 
for their guilty excesses, Glod would visit 



136 catechumen's and 

tliem with temporal chastisements, and 
hence he says,, in the succeeding verse, 
" For this cause many are weak and sickly 
among you, and many sleep." The Corin- 
thians, perhaps, might attribute their 
sickness, and deaths happening among 
them, to various natural causes ; but an 
inspired apostle tells them that these were 
gent upon them for their profanation of the 
Lord's Supper/' There is nothing, then, 
in this text, which is alarming, as it is 
usually understood by many, but still we 
may in temper and in spirit be unworthy 
communicants, against which we must 
especially guard, and similar judgments 
(not damnation on that account) may come 
upon us, as they did upon the irreverent 
Corinthians. 

Men are always ready to make apologies 
for not attending upon the ordinances, and 
say, " pray have us excused ;" and it is not 
only those who are avowed enemies of the 
cross, but many who profess and call them- 
selves christians. But who is it that com- 
mands us to do this in remembrance of 



communicant's companion. 137 

trim ? It is the command of an Almighty 
Sovereign ; of a Eedeemer ; of a dying Me- 
diator. It is a command full of love and 
mercy. It has the same authority, and we 
are under the same obligations to obey it, 
as cc Thou shalt not kill." But let us con- 
sider the excuses commonly made. 

1. The first is founded upon the aivful im- 
portance and nature of the Supper. This is 
an affected compliment to Christ, which he 
will not accept. Men lull their consciences 
to sleep by saying that the honor is too 
great, and the ordinance too solemn for 
them to enjoy. This is true, but it should 
only awaken in us a solicitude to prepare 
ourselves properly for it, and is, by no 
means, an excuse for staying away. If an 
earthly monarch were to command us to 
appear at his court, and we would boldly 
answer that the honor is too great for us, 
would it not be a violation of his command, 
an insult to his honor, and a contempt of 
his favor ? Consider well that the rever- 
ence for this sacrament which your Ee- 
deemer demands of you, is a reverence 



138 catechumen's and 

united with obedience ; but this latter you 
deny him. He only has a proper idea of 
the majesty of this sacrament, who is soli- 
citous with all humility and sense of his 
unworthiness to approach the table. That 
false reverence which makes us negligent 
about the performance of duties, dishonors 
God, and injures man. 

2. Others do not celebrate the Lord's 
Supper, because, as they say, they are un- 
worthy. That is very certain ; and if the 
question turns upon our merit, then the 
holiest saints on earth are unworthy. We 
only make ourselves acceptable guests, 
when we come with such a preparation as 
the gospel demands, namely, in faith in 
the merits of the Redeemer. Would not 
a beggar be more proud than humble, if 
he were to refuse the alms you were ready 
to bestow upon him, on the ground of his 
unworthiness to receive them? An humble 
sense of our unworthiness, or as the Saviour 
expresses it, " poorness of spirit/' is in the 
sight of God, the best preparation for the 
enjoyment of his offered blessings; for Jesus 



communicant's companion. 139 

says, " Blessed are the poor in spirit, for 
theirs is the kingdom of God." 

3. Others apologize for this neglect by 
declaring that they fear a relapse into sin. 
It must be acknowledged that it is a ter- 
rible thing to trample the blood of the Son 
of God under foot, and to fall back into 
gross sin, after having communed. But 
whose fault is this, and whose duty is it to 
observe the directions of the Scriptures ? 
You might as well argue that you will not 
read the word of God, attend the preaching 
of the gospel, or perform any other religious 
duty, lest you might not be benefited, and 
thus enhance your responsibility ! 

But suppose that you do fall into sin 
after communion, (which should, however, 
be especially guarded against,) would that 
shut you out of all hope of heaven ? If you 
sincerely repented of your sins, would not 
God grant you grace unto conversion ? He 
demands of the guests of his table a holy 
life, and a fulfilment of the vows which 
they have taken upon themselves, but not 
the innocence of angels. The holy sacra- 



140 CATECHUMENS AND 

inent is a means of fortifying tis in our con- 
test against sin, and should consequently 
be celebrated by all who desire to overcome 
the influence of the adversary. 

But another says, I cannot appear there 
because I am in doubt about my spiritual 
condition. If this doubt arises from the 
weakness of your faith, then we can tell 
you that for such as you was the Supper 
instituted, and is one of the means which 
you ought to employ to remove your doubts* 
The longer you absent yourself on that 
account, the stronger will your doubts and 
fears become. 

4. Others excuse themselves by declaring 
that no benefit can arise from the Lord's 
Supper, for many who partake of it, are not 
better than many who do not It is not to 
be denied that this is a melancholy truth, 
which among professed christians, is but 
too often realized. But how can you draw 
the unwarrantable conclusion that, after 
all, there is no benefit ? Ton might as well 
conclude not to eat, because some by care- 
lessness have been strangled by their food! 



communicant's companion. 141 

We grant that some eat and drink unwor- 
thily, and dishonor their Kedeemer, but is 
that a reason why you should dishonor 
him and bring judgment upon yourself? 
You are not directed to follow the bad ex- 
amples of others, but to observe the pre- 
cepts and commands of God. You are not 
to look upon the abuse of this means of 
grace, but upon the proper use, as estab- 
lished by Christ and his apostles. If you 
adopt the example of the wicked as your 
rule of conduct and opinion, you a$e 
undone. 

5. My neighbor has injured me, says an- 
other ; I live at enmity with him, and white 
this continues I cannot go to the Lord's table 
But, dear friend, even if your neighbor has 
offended you, will you on that account 
offend G-od and your own soul ? He has 
injured you, but will you act so unwisely 
and increase the injury? But examine 
whether your disaffection towards your 
neighbor is justifiable ? If he persists in 
his insults, your displeasure cannot be 
avoided; but still endeavor to keep it within 
13 



142 catechumen's and 

proper bounds, and cherish, no feelings of 
vengeance. You can be dissatisfied with 
the conduct of your fellow men toward you 
without being thereby rendered unfit for 
the Supper. But if you are determined to 
cherish enmity against thein, then trem- 
ble when you appear at the table; tremble 
every time you use the Lord's prayer, " for- 
give us our trespasses, as we forgive those 
who trespass against us," for you are pray- 
ing yourself into perdition. Be careful to 
attain that preparation of soul by which 
you will forgive the faults and insults of 
your neighbors ; strive after union and 
harmony, and pray that the love of your 
fellow man may continually grow in your 
heart. 

6. Oar business is of such a nature, that 
we have no time to prepare for the Lords 
Supper, Bay others. What ! should we find 
no time to serve God, who as the Lord 
of time grants it to us ? or perhaps we find 
time enough to attend to our worldly con- 
cerns, only not to the immortal soul ! The 
man who wishes to excuse himself from 



communicant's companion. 143 

attendance on the Supper, on account of 
the extent of his business, gives God plainly 
to understand that he will think of his 
service when the world allows him per- 
mission. The most industrious man on 
earth has time enough to attend to his re- 
ligious duties ; yea, they will enable him 
to transact his business much more com- 
fortably to himself. He utterly deceives 
himself who makes this apology ; God will 
not accept it, while the interests of his own 
soul are suffering prodigiously. 

7. Another excuse we hear from some, 
is the unworthiness of others. But does not 
true humility teach us to think and judge 
more severely of ourselves than of others ; 
and suppose it to be true that others are 
unworthy, can their sins deprive us of the 
benefits and consolations of the ordinance ? 
The presence of an impenitent man cannot 
pollute the institution, and we have no part 
in his sins. It is only a spirit of the gross- 
est self-righteousness that can induce a 
man to make this excuse ; and he should 
be more solicitous about the good of his 



144 catechumen's and 

own soul, than about the faults of his 
neighbors. 

Hear the animating language of Bishop 
Patrick : " Let no man plead this, or that, 
in excuse for his not coming to the Lord's 
table ; but resolve hereafter carefully to 
perform so necessary a duty. Let the sin- 
ner quit his state of sin and death, and so 
come and eat of the bread of life. Let the 
ignorant come into the school of Christ, 
and proceed until they come to the highest 
form, to the upper room, where the feast 
is celebrated. Let those that are at enmity 
with their neighbors also come ; let them 
only first go and be reconciled to their 
brethren, and so let them offer their gift. 
Let those that have a multitude of worldly 
employments come; only let them leave 
them, as Abraham did his asses at the 
bottom of the mount, and so let them ascend 
to heaven in their thoughts, and converse 
with God. Let the weak come, that they 
may grow in strength ; and let the strong 
come, that they may not grow weak. Let 
them who have fears come, that their hearts 



commukicant's companion. 145 

may be settled by the acts of a more lively 
faith ; and let them come who have hopes, 
that they may rise to greater degrees of an 
humble confidence Let those who have 
leisure accept of this invitation, because 
they have no excuse ; and let those who 
have but little leisure entertain it also, that 
they may the more sanctify their business 
and their employments. Let the sad and 
the sorrowful approach, that their hearts 
may be filled with the joys of the Lord, and 
let them who rejoice in the Lord always 
approach, that their joy may be full/' 



13 s1 



146 catechumen's and 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

He Ips for Se If -Examination . 

Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, 
who art of purer eyes than to behold in- 
iquity, who searchest the heart, and triest 
the innermost thoughts, I beseech thee now 
to assist me in looking into my own heart 
and my own life. Feeling and acknow- 
ledging that my heart is deceitful above 
all things, and desperately wicked, I be- 
seech thee to show me to myself. Enable 
me to try myself by the standard of thy 
holy word, that I may discover the true 
state of my soul ; give me repentance for 
all my past sins ; lively faith in Jesus 
Christ, the only Saviour from sin ; deep 
humility before thee, and such tempers 
and dispositions as are meet for those who 
assemble round the table of our gracious 
Eedeemer. All which I ask for his name's 
sake. Amen. 



communicant's companion. 147 

THE HOLY LAW OF GOD. — Mark xi, 30, 31. 

Do I love the Lord my God with all my 
heart, with all my mind, with all my soul, 
and all my strength ? 

Do I know any thing of his glorious per- 
fections, and the blessings which he has 
bestowed ? 

Do I desire his favor, and fear his dis- 
pleasure above every thing ? 

With what feelings do I regard his word, 
his house, his day, his ordinances, his peo- 
pie? 

Is my mind in general alienated from 
God and forgetful of him ? 

Do I think much and frequently of him, 
and am I zealous for his glory ? 

Do I enjoy communion with him when I 
pray to him or desire this ? 

Do I strive to become like him? 

Are the faculties of my soul engaged to 
render him affectionate, intelligent, sincere 
and resolute service ? 

Do Hove my neighbor as myself? 

Do I know that all mankind are entitled 
to my benevolence and love ? 



148 catechumen's and 

Am I free from all malice, ill-will and 
enmity to every human being ? 

t>o I forbear doing to them what I should 
dislike to have done to me, whether it be 
fraud, evil speaking, contempt or the like? 

Am I actively desiring, and seeking the 
good of all around me, even as I desire and 
seek my own ? 

Is my love to others like that of Christ 
to me? 

Do I love not in word only, but in deed, 
and in truth ? 

What do I do for the relief of the needy 
and the destitute ? 

Am I seeking the salvation of my fellow 
creatures ? 

Has the law taught me my sinfulness, 
and as a school-master led me to Christ ? 

the gospel. — Bom. i, 16, 17. 

Have I deeply felt my guilt and corrup- 
tion before God? 

Have I seen my own helplessness as tD 
salvation ? 

Do I know and believe that the gospel is 



communicant's companion. 149 

the appointed, and only, and complete way 
of salvation ? 

Am I so believing in Jesus as to rely 
upon him as my Saviour ? 

Do I know that God accounts men right- 
eous through faith in him ? 

Am I seeking righteousness in this way ? 

REPENTANCE AND FAITH. — Acts XX, 21. 

Do I repent of my iniquities ? 

Have I any knowledge of the divine pu- 
rity, justice and goodness ? 

Have I in consequence, felt grieved for 
sin? 

Have I determined to forsake all sin, 
however dear to me ? 

Have I acknowledged my sinfulness he- 
fore God ? 

Have I actually turned from my sins? 

Do I believe in Jesus Christ as my only 
Saviour ? 

Have I seen my danger on account of 
sin? 

Do I know what the Scriptures say of 
Christ as able to save ? 



150 catechumen's and 

Have I seen that he is full of grace and 
truth? 

Do I rely on him for pardon ; and for 
strength to serve him ? 

Do I make use of him in all his offices, 
as Prophet, Priest, and King ? 

THE BEATITUDES. — Matt V, 3-10. 

Am I poor in spirit? 

Am I sensible of my lost and undone 
condition? 

Do I feel that I am unable to help myself? 

Am I acquainted with the workings of 
my own evil heart ? 

Am I humble and lowly in mind, affec- 
tion, and conversation? 

Do I mourn for sin ? 

Do I see what dreadful evil sin has pro- 
duced ? 

Do I know that the wrath of God is de- 
nounced against all sin ? 

Does the suffering Saviour, crucified for 
sin, affect my heart with godly sorrow ? 

Am I grieved for my repeated transgres- 
sion? 



communicant's companion. 151 

Have I Christian meekness ? 

Do I contend with my proud and unholy 
tempers ? 

Am I patient under crosses, trials, and 
injuries, and willing to suffer reproach for 
Christ's sake? 

Do I quietly submit to God's painful dis- 
pensations ? 

Do I endeavor to unite ardent zeal with 
patient meekness? 

Do I hunger and thirst after righteous- 
ness ? 

Am I deeply sensible of my want of 
righteousness ? 

Do I earnestly desire to obtain that 
righteousness which is through the faith 
of Christ ? 

Do I supremely desire to be wholly free 
from the dominion, pollution and power, 
as well as from the guilt of sin ? 

Am I merciful? 

Have the miseries of others called forth 
compassion and efforts to relieve them ? 

Have I sought to find out the poor and 
afflicted? 



152 catechumen's and 

Have I manifested a merciful disposition 
to all under me ? 

Am I pare in heart ? 

Do tlie sins of my heart grieve me ? 

Do I avoid all those occasions which I 
have found to he temptations to impurity ? 

Is my eye single, and my heart one for 
God? 

Are all carnal, sensual, and sinful de- 
sires mortified ? 

Am I a peace-maker ? 

Is my own conduct such as not to excite 
contention and disputes, hut to diffuse har- 
mony and love ? 

Have I, as much as I could ; promoted 
brotherly affection and union in my family ? 

Do I seek to unite together those that 
have quarreled ? 

Am I laboring to spread the gospel of 
peace ? 

Do I suffer persecution for righteousness' 
sake ? 

Is my religion contrary to the course of 
this world ? 

Is all the occasion of the offence I give, 
my holy and righteous conduct ? 



communicant's companion. 153 

Do the ungodly laugh at, revile, or op- 
pose my religion ? 

Have I ever suffered any loss for con- 
science' sake? 

The above may serve as specimens for 
self-examination, and the devout reader is 
left to pursue it more extensively. It is a 
most salutary exercise, and the individual 
who sincerely seeks after holiness, will not 
shrink from frequent and prayerful inspec- 
tion. 

The following confession and prayers 
may close our self-examination. 

Confession of Sins after self-examination. 

Lord Grod Almighty, the Judge of all 
the earth, keeping covenant and mercy to 
them that love him, and to them that keep 
his commandments, have mercy upon me, 
a miserable sinner, coming back to thee in 
the name of Jesus Christ. My conscience 
accuses me of many transgressions, and 
much disobedience. If in any thing I have 
not greatly sinned, or have in a measure 
fulfilled thy will, this was thy work, and to 
14 



154 catechumen's ahb 

tliee alone be praise. But how unfaith- 
ful have I been to rny engagements, and 
how often have I transgressed thy law, 
and been disobedient to thy holy will ! 

I desire especially to confess and bewail 
those sins for which my own heart partic- 
ularly condemns me. {Here enumerate those 
sins and omitted duties which have been 
brought to your mind by self-examination?) 
And how much of my sinfulness is un- 
known to myself! But thou art acquainted 
with all my ways. cleanse thou me 
from my secret faults and from all my 
known transgressions ; wash me through 
that precious blood which cleanses from all 
sin. Give me grace to look upon him who 
was pierced for my sins, and to mourn for 
them with that godly sorrow which works 
repentance unto salvation. vouchsafe 
unto me a holy compunction of heart, a 
lively faith in Christ, and a sure hope of 
thy mercy through him, that I may with 
a pacified conscience, a believing and pen- 
itent heart, and a grateful and thankful 



communicant's companion. 155 

spirit^ commemorate his death at his table. 
Hear me for his name's sake. Amen. 

Prayer for Repentance. 

Thou who, by the right hand of the 
Father, art exalted to be a prince and a 
Saviour, to give repentance and forgiveness 
of sins ; now, in this accepted time, I come 
to thee for those great blessings. My heart 
is hard and impenitent, and little affected 
by my many sins, and thy great goodness. 
I beseech thee to take away the stony heart, 
and give me a heart of flesh. Vouchsafe 
unto me that broken and contrite spirit 
which the high and holy God will not de- 
spise. May thy sufferings, gracious Re- 
deemer, touch and melt my soul. Let the 
goodness of Gi-od lead me to repentance. 
Never leave me to myself and my own per- 
verse, w r ayward, and wandering heart. 
now bring me back, by thy Holy Spirit, to 
my heavenly Father ; and, returning to 
him, may I obtain his mercy, and find that 
he does abundantly pardon. 



156 catechumen's and 

Prayer for Faith. 

Almighty G-od, Father of mercies, from 
whom cometh every good and perfect gift, 
give unto me, I beseech thee, grace to be- 
lieve on the name of Christ. I believe, 
Lord, help thou my unbelief; let me be 
strong in faith, giving glory to thee, and 
having a full persuasion that thou wilt 
perform all that thou hast promised. 
help me to count all things but loss for the 
excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus 
my Lord. Enable me so to believe, that 
Christ may dwell in my heart ; and I may 
supremely love thee, my God, and unfeign- 
edly love all my fellow-creatures. Hear 
me for Christ's sake. 



communicant's companion. 157 



CHAPTER XXY. 

Confession of sins, preparatory to receiving the 
Holy Sacrament. 

cc If we say that we have no sin, we de- 
ceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 
But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and 
just to forgive us, and to cleanse us from 
all unrighteousness/' 1 John i, 8, 9. 

most mighty God! how shall I, a poor 
miserable sinner, who am all over sin and 
pollution, dare to speak unto thee? 
Lord ! when I look back on my past life, I 
am astonished at thy mercy and long suf- 
fering towards me; and am sensible, if I 
had been rewarded according to my mis- 
deeds, that I had long before this been ban- 
ished from thy presence for ever. But I 
now fly unto thee, and cry, Lord, be merci- 
ful unto me , a sinner ! 

1 have been a disobedient sinner, a con- 
temner of thy laws. I have made a mock 
at sin, and would not hearken to reproof- 

14* 



158 catechumen's and 

my mind has been overspread with blind- 
ness, ignorance and folly, but now, as thou 
hast vouchsafed me the light of thy Spirit, 
to see my infirmities, I fly unto thee, the 
author of my comfort, and say, Lord, he 
merciful unto me, a sinner ! 

I have preferred a life of folly, of extrav- 
agance and disorder, a life that has yielded 
me shame, remorse, sorrow and affliction, 
before the peace, and pleasure, and serenity 
of a sober, virtuous and religious behaviour. 
I have preferred the pleasures and profits 
of this world, to the ways of virtue and re- 
ligion, but now I repent, and say, Lord, he 
merciful to me a sinner ! 

Lord! I dare not plead that I have 
spent any one day of my life solely to thy 
honor and glory : but how many days, nay, 
years, have I spent in the service of sin ! 
How many are my unlawful desires and 
inordinate affections ! How often have I 
profaned thy sabbaths, abused thy sacred 
name, lightly esteemed thy holy word, de- 
spised thy ministers, and regarded with in- 
difference all that is serious I But now I 



communicant's companion. 159 

fly unto thee, by this holy Sacrament, and 
cry, Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner ! 

I have been proud and envious, passion- 
ate and angry; I have indulged hatred, 
malice and revenge ; I have spoken disre- 
spectfully of my neighbor ; I have been 
guilty of indecent actions and unholy dis- 
courses ; of profane and sinful jests, of fre- 
quent irreverent use of thy name, and 
of swerving from the truth ; but now I 
come and pray, Lord, be merciful to me, 
a sinner t 

I heartily confess all my secret and pre- 
sumptuous faults, and beseech thee that 
they may be no more remembered against 
me for ever. I have no hope but in that 
mercy which thou hast manifested in the 
redemption of the world, by thy Son, Jesus 
Christ ; that alone is the support of my 
soul under all my sorrows and anguish. 

Lord ! pardon and forgive, I most earn- 
estly beseech thee, all the sins and trans- 
gressions of my past life, and cleanse me 
from all secret and unknown sins ; give me, 
I most heartily beseech thee, such an un- 



160 catechumen's and 

feigned repentance of all my sins, such a 
hatred and abhorrence of my former evil 
ways, that I may from this moment, aban- 
don for ever all my sinful enjoyments. — 
Give me that humble and contrite spirit, 
whose longings thou never wilt despise ; 
that faith which overcometh the world, 
and which will enable me to conquer my 
most inveterate habits ; and that love 
which will make me afraid to offend thee ; 
and inspire me with resolutions, active and 
vigorous, honest and sincere ; such as, by 
the assistance of thy grace and Holy Spirit, 
may carry me through all difficulties, and 
be proof against all the temptations of the 
world, the flesh, and the devil. 

© Lord ! hear me : Lord ! help me, and 
have mercy upon me; grant me the blessing 
of thy Spirit and grace, that I may go duly 
prepared to thy holy table. Lord ! pity 
and save my soul for thy truth and mercies' 
sake, in Jesus Christ. Amen. 



communicant's companion. 161 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

Prayer before the Sacrament of the LoroVs 
Swpyer* 

what am I, a poor, unworthy , sinful 
being, that I should go to the table of the 
Lord, and presume to claim the portion 
of his saints ! Great God ! my guilt, and 
shame, and fear draw me back, and make 
me ready to conclude it presumptuous and 
vain for me ever to expect such high honor 
and favor from thee, after I have so wick- 
edly behaved towards myself. I durst not 
think of making so near approaches to thy 
Holy Majesty, but that thou art pleased 
to invite and command us so to do. In- 
stead of stretching forth a sceptre of mercy 
to invite me to thy table^ thou mightest, 
w r ith the rod of thy wrath, dash me in 
pieces as a potter's vessel ; and instead of 
entertaining me with thy own body and 
blood, thou mightest give me the bread 
and water of affliction, and cast me down 



162 catechumen's and 

where I should in vain cry out for a drop 
to cool my parched tongue. 

But seeing thou art pleased to call even 
sinners, who have undone themselves, to 
come unto thee for help, and hast ap- 
pointed this sacrament as a means of con- 
veyance to help them to pardon and grace 
who stand in need of them; therefore, 
seeing I do extremely need thy pardoning 
mercy and thy sanctifying grace, I come, 
Lord, though polluted and unfit to appear 
before thee; and I dare not but come, 
knowing that I shall be undone by keep- 
ing away from thee. I come not, Lord, 
because I am worthy, but because thou art 
rich in mercy. I come as hungry, to be 
fed ; as sick, to be healed, and maimed, to 
be recovered ; that I may wash in the blood 
of thy Son and be cleansed; that I may 
receive of thy-infinite fullness, all that is 
wanting in my wretched self; and that I 
may so touch my Saviour, as to perceive 
virtue from him ; and to heal my sinful 
sores, and to make me able for thy faithful 
service. 



communicant's companion. 163 

that I may come in an humble man- 
ner, with all reverence and godly fear ; 
and with the most earnest longings after 
Christ Jesus, and the most hearty resolu- 
tions to live unto him who was pleased to 
die for me ! And do thou instruct me ; 
Lord, and assist me in the examination, 
the humiliation and preparation of my- 
self; in order to my safe and comfortable 
participation of this holy ordinance. Be- 
fore I approach thy altar, wilt thou purify 
my heart by repentance and faith in the 
blood of our great Eedeemer. let me 
receive a broken and bleeding Saviour 
with a broken and contrite heart; and 
make me so Avilling and obedient, that I 
may eat the good of the ordinance ; that I 
may find communion with thee, and may 
have not only a representation, but a par- 
ticipation of Christ crucified. turn in, 
my Lord, and be not as a stranger to the 
soul that is the purchase of thy own blood. 
Enrich thy ordinance with thy presence, 
that I may find him whom my soul desires 
to love^ and whose love is better than rich- 



164 catechumen's and 

es ; that Christ may appear and be known 
to my soul, in this breaking of bread : that 
I may receive such life from thee, as may 
enable me to live unto thee, and make me 
know that thou abidest in me by the Spirit 
which thou hast given me. 

Blessed Saviour, weigh not mine, but 
thy own merits ; for I have not deserved 
thee, but thou hast redeemed me. I can 
never be worthy of thee ; but give me, I 
beseech thee, such agreeable dispositions, 
apprehensions, affections, and resolutions 
in my coming to thee, that I may eat and 
drink worthily of what I am to receive 
from thee ; that I may partake of thy sa- 
cred body crucified, and thy precious blood 
shed for us, with such discerning, and rev- 
erence, and penitence, and faith, and love, 
and thankfulness, as I ought to do. And 
what I am not in myself, do thou make 
me, out of thine own infinite fullness. 

make thy ordinance healing, and the 
savour of life to my soul. And make it 
also a sealing ordinance, to clear up to me 
the pardon of my sins and the assurance 



communicant's companion. 165 

of thy love. And, as thou sealest the cov- 
enant of grace, let me seal the covenant 
of obedience ; and in such a devout and 
acceptable manner come unto thy table, 
that I may return from it with my con- 
science quieted, my corruption subdued, 
my graces increased, and my soul en- 
_ couraged to run the ways of thy com- 
mands, 

And as thou art pleased still to continue 
to us the liberty and advantage of this or- 
dinance to nourish and revive our souls, 
work in our hearts a higher esteem for 
it, and a greater love to it. And in our 
preparations before we eat and drink at 
thy table, in our communicating there, 
and in our behaviour after, teach and 
help us to conduct ourselves in a manner 
becoming the holy, heavenly feasts, and 
the redeemed of the Lord. 

Hear me, Lord, my God, and forgive 
me ; bless and direct me, quicken and as- 
sist me in the work now lying before me ; 
deal graciously with me, that I may dis- 
charge my duties with good acceptance in 
15 



166 catechumen's and 

the sight of G-od, through the beloved of 
thy soulj the only Saviour of man. Amen. 

Meditation of a young Christian, especially on 

going to the table for the first time. 

(Jesus speaks.) 

My child! how unspeakably dear art 
thou to me ! Yes, I have loved thee long ? 
and even before thou wert born my heart 
was warm with affection for thee. Then 
already I was solicitous about thy salva- 
tion, and I did not think it too much to 
sacrifice my life for thee upon the cross. 
See, my child ! what agonies thou hast 
cost me, and on that account I love thee 
the more, and desire to make thee eternal- 
ly happy ; 0, then, come unto me. Where 
canst thou find such love as in me ? And 
who can help thee, a poor child, who de- 
liver thee from destruction, if thou comest 
not unto me ? Yes, it is I alone who can 
afford thee strength in life, consolation in 
affliction, hope in death, and eternal sal- 
vation in heaven. Do not neglect so great 
salvation. Give me now thy heart ; if 
postponed, perhaps thou wilt not be able, 
then whence wouldst thou receive salva- 



communicant's companion. 167 

tion ? Thou livest in an evil world, in 
which thou art encompassed by many ene- 
mies, who would destroy thy soul. But 
observe, I have overcome the world, and 
with me thou canst also overcome it. Be- 
cognize in every temptation to do contra- 
ry to my word, in every attempt of the 
scoffer to seduce thee from the ways of ho- 
liness, the enemy who would separate thee 
from me, thy only helper and deliverer, 
and ruin thee eternally. Flee, flee all 
youthful lusts, and every sin; avoid the 
wicked practices of the world ; remember 
constantly thy heavenly friend, who once 
laid down his life for thee ; watch and 
pray, and look to me for strength against 
the world ; for my strength is powerful to 
the weak. Thus will my blessing accom- 
pany thee, and thou wilt finally be happy 
with me in heaven. 

(The young Christian.) 

Lord Jesus ! how lovely is thy voice ! 
how it moves my inmost soul ! Thou art 
the holy and righteous one, the Lord of 
heaven and earth ; and yet thou art solic- 



168 CATECHUMENS AND 

itous about me, a poor mortal, and lionor- 
est me with such wonderful love. Alas ! 
I am a great sinner. I never experienced 
that so intensely as at this moment. I 
am ashamed to look to thee, thou holy 
one, and I am alarmed, when I think that 
thou, the Omniscient, knowest all that I 
have thought, spoke and done, during all 
my wicked life. And yet I am called to 
come to thee, and to expect all from thee, 
which thou givest to thy beloved ! What 
wondrous mercy ! I cannot comprehend 
its immeasurable extent ! Now I come, 
Lord, as thou callest me. I would be 
wholly thine, with all that I have and 
am ; and oh ! that I may never abandon 
thee, but be always faithful to follow thee, 
wherever thou leadest. Look mercifully 
upon my weakness; enlighten my mind 
from above ; work in me both to will and 
to do ; strengthen my faith and fortify me 
in my conflict against sin. Lord Jesus, 
thou hast begun the good work in me ; do 
thou bring it to perfection, to the glory of 
thy holy name, and' my own eternal salva- 
tion. Amen. 



communicant's companion. 169 



CHAPTEE XXVII. 
For a Communicant in Spiritual Distress, 

Most Holy God, thou art the fountain 
of life and happiness. I thank thee that 
thou didst ever permit me to experience 
thy mercy, and that the light of thy coun- 
tenance ever shone upon my soul. But, 
alas ! that time has gone, and I am now 
sorrowing and afflicted. My heart is sad, 
and what shall I do ? I cry out, with thy 
servant of old, " that I were as in 
months past, as in the days when God 
preserved me ; when his candle shined 
upon my head, and when by his light I 
walked through darkness." Job xxix, 2, 
3. I would come and call thee, with the 
same holy boldness, my Father and my 
God, but I know not how it is possible. 
Guilt and dread oppress me, and I dare 
no longer call thee by that endearing 
name. I seek thee, Lord, but I seek thee 
in vain. I would pray unto thee, but my 
15* 



170 catechumen's and 

lips are sealed ; and my heart is closed. 
I would read thy word, but all its gra- 
cious promises afford no consolation to me. 
Thy holy ordinances, which were formerly 
nourishing to my soul, now communicate 
no spiritual enjoyment or relkf. Their 
spirit has departed. The mere shadow 
remains, and my comfort has gone. 

But, Lord, wilt thou cast me off for 
ever? wilt thou no more show me thy fa- 
vor? hast .thou determined, in thy terrible 
judgment, that my soul shall ever be dis- 
quieted ? Truly, all this I have deserved. 
I acknowledge, Lord God, that I have de- 
served to be banished from thy presence, 
but hast thou not again accepted many 
who have merited thy displeasure as well 
as I ? be thus gracious unto me. If 
thou hast withdrawn thy favor on account 
of my sins, may it please thee, according 
to thy gracious promise, to hide thy face 
from my sins, and to blot out mine iniqui- 
ties. Gladden my heart, by bestowing thy 
favor upon me, and say unto my wounded 
soul, I am thy deliverer. 



communicant's companion. 171 

Lord, my God, did not Jesus, thy be- 
loved Son, endure all that my sins de- 
served ? did he not render an equivalent 
to thee for my transgressions ? did he 
not suffer all this, that a penitent sinner 
might, through him, he brought to thee, 
and be allowed the privilege of regard- 
ing thee as his Father and God ? 

Glorious Eedeemer, art thou not ap- 
pointed to give unto them that mourn in 
Zion, beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for 
mourning, and the garment of praise for 
the spirit of heaviness ? wipe away 
my tears. Anoint my head with the oil 
of joy, and clothe me with the garments 
of salvation. 

that I knew why thou hast withdrawn 
thyself from me ! I think on and examine 
my ways. Lord, do thou search and try 
me, and see whether there be any wicked 
way in me, and lead me in the w^ay that 
is everlasting. Guide me in the way 
where I can find rest for my soul, and 
where I can recognize the revelations of 
thy love in Christ. 



172 catechumen's and 

My God, tliou who seest light shining 
out of darkness, only speak the word, and 
there will be light in my soul. Open my 
lips, that my month may speak forth thy 
praise. Then I will praise thee in songs 
of joy, which shall show the happy condi- 
tion of the righteous. But, Lord, I sub- 
mit to thy will. If thou hast determined 
that my faith shall be tried, I resign my- 
self to thy sovereign will. I will yet 
thank thee, as the God of Israel, the Ee- 
deemer, though thou art hidden from me. 
I will yet hope in the name of the Lord, 
and confide in my God. My soul shall 
wait upon the Lord in the morning, and 
who knows but that the light may shine 
upon me in the evening ? I know that 
thou hast often showed thy mercy towards 
thy servants in their death ; as their na- 
tural strength decayed, thou hast sup- 
ported them by thy Spirit, and hast made 
darkness light unto them. If it be accord- 
ing to thy holy will, grant that the light 
of thy countenance may shine upon me, 
when I walk through the dark valley and 



COMMUNICANTS COMPANION. 17o 

shadow of death. May thy rod and thy 
staff then sustain me, and may I finally 
be admitted into that rest which remain- 
eth for the people of God. 

This, Lord, this is the salvation after 
which I long, but perhaps I will be com- 
forted sooner, perhaps when I go to thy 
table. Thy body and blood are the seals 
of my union with thee. By thy holy sac- 
rament thou wilt strengthen the weakness 
of my faith ; wilt dispel my fears and con- 
sole my afflicted spirit. Thou wilt do it, 
for thou hast so promised. My longings 
shall never tire, my hope never become 
faint. Nourish and strengthen this faith 
in me, and grant that it may finally be 
fulfilled, through the riches of thy mercy, 
in Christ Jesus. Amen, 



174 catechumen's and 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
Morning Prayer on Communion Day, 

Almighty God and Merciful Father, 
who hast given thy only Son, Jesus Christ, 
to die for us ; who didst institute a holy 
feast in commemoration of that his most 
precious death, whereby to preserve in our 
minds a constant remembrance of his great 
love, in laying down his life for our sakes ; 
I, thy unworthy servant, who am now in- 
vited to thy holy table, do humbly adore 
thy divine majesty, acknowledging that I 
am not worthy of my daily bread, much 
less of that which came down from heaven, 
and which thou hast given to be the food 
and nourishment of our souls. 

1 confess, Lord, my sins may justly 
cause me to tremble when I appear before 
thee ; but, most merciful Father, encour- 
aged by thy wonderful goodness and love, 
in giving thy Son to die for all penitent 
sinners, I present myself before thee at 



communicant's companion. 175 

tliis time, beseeching thee, in great hu- 
mility, to continue to rne that love, and 
admit me to thy holy table, that I may 
taste and see how gracious thou art, and 
how wonderful in thy doings towards the 
sons of men. 

make my longings after, and desires 
for, this divine food, some way answera- 
ble to my great need of it ; that my soul, 
being sensible of all its wants, may no 
longer seek for relief from the unsatisfying 
objects of this world, but by coming to 
thy holy table, with a true spiritual hun- 
ger and thirst, may there find a supply of 
all those graces and blessings, of which it 
stands so much in need. 

And to this end, Lord, prepare my 
heart to partake of so great a mercy, by 
giving me a just abhorrence of my own 
unworthiness, and an unfeigned repent- 
ance of all my sins. Eoot out of my heart 
all sinful and corrupt affections, all pre- 
judice, hatred and ill will, and plant all 
those devout, and pious, and charitable, 
and humble dispositions that become the 



176 catechumen's and 

worshipers of our dear Eecleemer ; that 
when I presume to appear before thee, I 
may bring with me a heart raised above 
all the corruptions of this world ; and full 
of the strongest desires and resolutions of 
loving and serving thee. 

Deliver me, my G-od, from all cold- 
ness and formality, when I attend upon 
thee in holy and religious duties, and 
grant that, by going to this holy feast, I 
may have my pardon sealed, my weakness 
repaired, all my evil inclinations subdued, 
my faith strengthened, my hopes enlarged, 
my charity increased, and my soul so en- 
tirely and inseparably united to thee, that 
nothing may ever be able to dissolve the 
union ; but that being begun here in grace, 
it may hereafter be consummated in glory, 
through the merits of him who died for 
me, even the Son of thy eternal love, Je- 
sus Christ, the righteous, to whom, with 
thee, Father, and the Holy Spirit, be 
ascribed, as is most due, all honor, glory, 
power, thanksgiving and praise, both now 
and evermore. Amen. 



communicant's companion. 177 

Lord Jesus Christ, eternal Son of God, 
who, in thy humanity, didst suffer death 
for us, and hast redeemed us from sin and 
eternal condemnation, and that we might 
not forget this exhibition of thy love, didst 
institute the holy Supper as a memorial, 
and didst establish a new covenant, by 
which the sins of believers may not be 
brought against them for ever ; I, a poor 
sinner, come to thee, the fountain of all 
grace and mercy, and pray thee that thou 
wouldst wash away all my sins, cleanse 
and quicken my soul, that with true peni- 
tence and godly sorrow, with strong faith 
and confidence, with holy reverence and 
awe, I may be prepared to partake of thy 
body and blood ; grant that through this 
sacrament my faith may be increased, my 
hope strengthened, my love inflamed, my 
weak conscience consoled, all temptations 
overcome, and the eternal salvation of my 
soul secured and sealed. gracious God! 
enlighten my understanding, that I may 
duly appreciate the incalculable worth of 
this sacrament, and that I may experience 
16 



178 catechumen's and 

all its saving benefits. May I appropriate 
these to myself, namely, forgiveness of 
sins, true righteousness and eternal life. 
Grant that I may always have a strong 
desire and longing for the sacrament, and 
that in it I may always find comfort, 
peace, joy and forgiveness. Eemove from 
me every thing that is displeasing to thee, 
and bestow upon me the grace of thy Holy 
Spirit, that I may be truly converted to 
thee, that my hungering and thirsting 
soul may be nourished here, and in heaven 
enjoy the bread of life with thee for ever. 
Amen. 

Prayer before receiving the Holy Sacrament. 

Behold, gracious Lord, I come to this 
table, as a sick man to the great physician 
of life; I beseech thee, Lord, to heal my 
infirmities, and let me not only receive the 
outward and visible sign, but the inward 
and spiritual grace, purchased by my bless- 
ed Redeemer in the sacrifice of himself, so 
that all carnal affections may die in me, 
and all things belonging to the Spirit may 



communicant's companion. 179 

live and grow in me, that I may have 
power, strength and victory, to triumph 
against the world, the flesh, and the devil; 
and may be endued with such heavenly 
virtues as are pleasing to thee, and which 
thou wilt eternally reward, for the merit 
of thy Son's death, to whom, with the 
Father and the Holy Grhost, be all honor 
and glory, world without end. Amen. 

Thanksgiving and Prayer after the Sacrament of 
the LoroVs Supper. 

I desire, with all my soul, to adore and 
magnify thy blessed name, Lord God, 
my heavenly Father, for all the expressions 
of thy love and bounty to me, a poor un- 
worthy sinner. Particularly for thy pre- 
cious favors and the renewed pledges of thy 
love in Christ Jesus, which I have received 
from thee this day ; that thou hast admit- 
ted me, not only into thy house, but to thy 
table, and used me as thy friend, and the 
child of thy family, who deserve to be cast 
out as an enemy, and banished from thy 
presence. what manner of love is this, 
that I should fare so well, who deserves so 



180 catechumen's and 

ill at thy hands ! that it should be so 
done to wretched, sinful men! that the 
God so greatly offended by us, should not 
only forgive us, but entertain and feast us 
with all good which our blessed Saviour 
has merited and prepared for us! Lord, 
what is man that thou art so mindful of 
him, and the son of man that thfou so vis- 
itest him ! And what am I, a sinful man, 
that the great Lord, so ill used by me, 
should deal so exceedingly gracious with 
me ! make me to know the things that 
are freely given me of God, and how much 
I do owe unto the Lord, for all thy kind- 
ness to my soul, which thou hast redeemed, 
and eternally obligated to thyself. give 
me a heart deeply sensible of thy mercy, 
and steadfastly purposing to live to thy 
glory ; that I may show my thankfulness 
for thy benefits, by my obedience to thy 
precepts. Keep me mindful of the vows of 
God upon me, and help me to live, as hav- 
ing my holy Eedeemer now dwelling in me. 
,And as I have received Christ Jesus the 
Lord, so enable me to walk in him ; to walk 



communicant's companion. 181 

more worthy of the Lord unto all well- 
pleasing ; to walk in love as Christ loved 
us ; and to go on in the strength of what 
I have received from thee, to live unto thee, 
following after holiness, as being not only 
brought nigh to, but ultimately conjoined 
with the holy one of God. As I have eaten 
and drunk the sacramental bread and 
wine, to the nourishment and refreshment 
of my frail body, so let the crucified body 
and shed blood of God my Saviour, nourish 
and sustain my immortal soul into life 
eternal ; and revive me with the sense of 
thy pardon and peace and love. 

And that the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, 
that sacrifice of himself which he offered 
up on the cross, and which I have this day 
been commemorating at thy table, may 
atone for all the failings in my prepara- 
tions and performances ! That upon the 
account of that great propitiation for the 
sins of the whole world, I may be spared 
and accepted with thee, my God, here to 
thy blessed love, and hereafter to thy heav- 
enly glory ; through him that gave him- 
16* 



182 catechumen's and 

self for us, and has also given liimself to us, 
even the Son of thy love, and the great 
lover of our souls, for whom, and to whom, 
with thy eternal self and Holy Spirit, be all 
thanks, and praise, and honor, and glory 
ascribed by me, and of all thy church, now 
and for evermore. Amen. 

All honor, glorv, and power, might, 
majesty, and dominion be unto him that 
sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb 
that was slain, for ever and ever. 

I give thee most humble and hearty 
thanks, Lord, that thou hast been pleased 
to admit me to renew my baptismal cove- 
nant with thee in this holy sacrament ; 
that thou hast vouchsafed to feed me with 
the body and blood of thy Son Jesus Christ: 
and this not for any merits of my own, but 
for the sake of thy infinite mercy and 
goodness. 

Unworthy though I am, yet thy bounty, 
Lord, never fails ; the love of my Saviour 
is not diminished, and the virtue of his 
propitiation is never exhausted; grant, 
therefore, I beseech thee, that this holy 



communicant's companion. 183 

sacrament may never turn to my judgment 
and condemnation. But that It may be 
health and recovery under all my weakness 
and infirmities : safety and defence against 
all the attacks of my spiritual enemies ; 
vigor and strength to all my holy purposes 
and resolutions; comfort and support under 
all the afflictions and calamities of life ; 
assistance and direction under all difficul- 
ties and doubts, courage and constancy 
under all dangers and persecutions, espe- 
cially in times of sickness, and at the hour 
of death. Finally, let It procure for me 
pardon and forgiveness in thus life, mercy 
and favor at the day of judgment, and a 
never-fadln g crown of glory in th y heaven! y 
kingdom, where, with thy Son Jesus Christ 
and the Blessed Spirit, thou livest and 
reigncst, one God, world without end. — 
Amen. 

Ejaculations after Communion. 

Glory be to thee, Lord our God, that, 
in our extreme need of a Bedeemer, thou 
hast made such gracious provision for our 
souLs, and sent thy Son to die for our 



184 catechumen's and 

sins, and to save us, who had destroyed our- 
selves, and that he who offered himself 
upon the cross for us, is pleased to offer 
himself at his table unto us ; where I have 
heen tasting the fruits of his love, and re- 
ceiving my share among the redeemed of 
the Lord. 

I. I sat down under his shadow, and his 
fruit was sweet to my taste. I have been 
entertained at the table of the Lord, and 
there his banner over me was love. It was 
love that gave me the Saviour whom I have 
been receiving, and the opportunity now 
to come, and rest, and feast my soul upon 
him. 

II. Eeturn to thy rest, my soul, for the 
Lord has dealt bountifully with thee. Thy 
life is given thee at his hands, who forgiv- 
eth all thy sins, and healeth all thy dis- 
eases ; and not only redeems thee from 
destruction, but crowns thee with loving 
kindness and tender mercies, and satisfies 
thy mouth with good things, even his par- 
don and peace,- his Son and his Spirit, the 
riches of his grace, and the pledges of his 
glory. 



communicant's companion. 185 

III. Blessed be my God for that bread 
which came down from heaven to give life 
unto the world. And blessed be thy name, 
gracious Lord, for my share in this high- 
est expression of thy wonderful love and 
bounty. 

IV. Thou hast loved us, and redeemed 
us ; and washed us from our sins in thine 
own blood. And Oh! how infinitely in- 
debted I am to thy mercy, that thou callest 
me to this heavenly entertainment, which 
cost thee so dear to purchase and provide 
for us. 

V. make me more sensible of thy love, 
and more thankful for all its blessed effects; 
and let me now find the happy fruits of 
strength and refreshment to my soul, even 
strength against all the temptations that 
would entice me from thee, and such re- 
freshments as may wean my heart from all 
the pleasures of sin, and make it my meat 
and drink to do the will of my heavenly 
Father. 

VI. After I have tasted the pleasures of 
my Father's house, let me not go to feed 



186 catechumen's and 

upon husks ! And let nothing wear out the 
savor that I have of things heavenly, nor 
let tljie world part me and the blessed 
Kedeemer. 

VIL Whither shall I go from thee, 
blessed Jesus, who hast the words and the 
gift of eternal life ! All is in thy hands, 
and thou art the best of all Lords, who dost 
not rule us, but to bless us. 

VIII. I will admire, and love, and praise 
my Lord ; I will believe and trust in his 
tried mercy; I will rejoice and glory in 
his great salvation. And who shall pluck 
me out of his hands ! What shall sepa- 
rate me from his love? My beloved is 
mine, and I am his. Thine I am, Lord, 
and thine I will be, while I have my being* 

IX. Yet, Lord of all power and love, I 
beseech thee to keep thy servant from fall- 
ing ; and preserve me in every time of 
danger. do not suifer me to ruin myself, 
but pity my frailty and relieve my infirm- 
ity; and in thy hands let me be safe and 
never perish, but attain to everlasting 
life, through Jesus Christ, my Kedeemer 
and only Saviour. Amen. 



communicant's companion, 187 

Meditation for Sunday evening, after receiving 
the Lord^s Supper, 

Having now, my soul ! received the 
holy sacrament of the Lord's Supper, it is 
necessary that we should carefully con- 
sider, and seriously renew our reflections 
upon the nature and end of this sacred in- 
stitution : what is meant by it ; to what 
purpose it was ordained; and what bene- 
fits and advantages are to be expected from 
it. For we know that if any one goes to 
the communion without considering the 
reason of that ordinance, and the very 
great concern he has in it; or without un- 
derstanding the necessity and advantages 
of a Redeemer, he will certainly go with 
indifference, and of course return without 
the benefit that he might otherwise hope 
for and expect. 

Therefore, that this, my soul ! may 
not be our case, let us well consider what 
account the holy Scriptures have given us 
of the condition we are in, not only with 
respect to this life, but to that which is to 
come. We are there assured that we are sin- 



188 catechumen's and 

ners; that as such, God cannot take pleas- 
ure in us; and that should we happen to die 
before we are restored to his favor, we shall 
be separated from him, and be unchange- 
ably miserable for ever. This considera- 
tion necessarily leads us to inquire how 
the nature of man came to be thus disor- 
dered, and prone to evil; for we must not 
imagine that the infinitely good God ever 
created man in such a state of corruption 
as we now see him to be in; but that he 
must have fallen into this deplorable con- 
dition since he came out of the hands of 
his Creator, of which we have the follow- 
ing account : 

Our first parents, Adam and Eve, from 
whom all mankind descended, were created 
in the image of God, that is, holy and in- 
nocent,having a perfect knowledge of their 
duty, a command over their will and af- 
fections, and a power inherent, through 
God's appointment, to do what they saw 
fit to be done in this, their happy condi- 
tion : they were placed in Paradise,, as in 
a state of trial, with a promise of happi- 



communicant's companion. 189 

ness and immortal life, if they would con- 
tinue to love, fear, honor and obey their 
Creator; and they had also an express 
warning of the dreadful consequences of 
any future disobedience, and departing 
from their duty. 

Yet for all this warning, through the 
temptation of the devil, they transgressed 
the commands of God, and by so doing, 
they did not only forfeit their right to the 
promise of eternal life and happiness, but 
also contracted such a blindness of the un- 
derstanding, such a disorder in their will 
and affections, that all their posterity feel 
it to their sorrow, being made thereby sub- 
ject to sin, the punishment of which is 
death and eternal misery, 

Nevertheless, the greatness of this pun- 
ishment, inflicted upon our first parents, 
enables us to judge of the nature and ag- 
gravation of their sin ; for God, infinitely 
just and holy, could not inflict any punish- 
ment greater than their sin deserved ; nay, 
after all this, God, of his great goodness, 
provided such a remedy, as that neither 
17 



190 catechumen's and 

they nor any of their posterity need be 
eternally miserable on account of their 
fall, except through their own fault by 
neglecting the way of rescue. 

God promised a Redeemer, who should 
make full satisfaction to the divine justice 
for their transgression, and who should 
bruise the head or break the power of the 
serpent (the devil) who tempted them to 
sin. He promised that, upon condition 
of their hearty repentance and sincere 
obedience hereafter, they should be re- 
stored to the favor of Grod, and after death, 
to that life and happiness, which in their 
state of innocence was promised to them 
without ever tasting death: which privi- 
lege they had forfeited by their disobedi- 
ence. 

And now, my soul, that we may be 
fully convinced of the necessity and bless- 
ing of a Eedeemer, we ought to know and 
consider that our Saviour and Redeemer 
did not come until after mankind had been 
tried in all conditions ; in a state of inno- 
cence under his own reason, and under the 



communicant's companion. 191 

law given by Moses, all which, methods of 
Providence, through the perverse will of 
man, had been rendered ineffectual for the 
amendment of the world. And because 
God decreed that without shedding of 
blood there could be no remission of sins, 
Heb. ii, 22 ; and it being impossible that 
the blood of any creature, or any mortal 
man, could atone for, or take away, the 
guilt and punishment due to sin, our 
gracious God, both to give to mankind 
the greatest token of his love, and at the 
same time to show how great his hatred 
to sin is, by the greatness of the punish- 
ment it required, sent his own Son to be 
a propitiation for our sins, that is, to make 
satisfaction to his justice, and to remove 
the just displeasure which he had de- 
clared against sinners. Upon this, Jesus 
Christ his Son, (blessed for ever be his 
goodness,) knowing how miserable the con- 
dition of all would be who should live and 
die under the displeasure of God, and of 
what inconceivable happiness they would 
deprive themselves, moved with compas- 



192 catechumen's and 

sion for so great a calamity, undertook to 
obtain their pardon ; and in order to this, 
he took upon himself human nature, that, 
as man, he might make a full and suit- 
able satisfaction to the divine justice, of- 
fering himself a sacrifice for the sins of 
the whole world, and for the joy of deliver- 
ing so many millions of souls from misery, 
he endured the death of the cross, and all 
the sufferings leading to it, which we find 
recorded in the holy Gospels. And it is 
by this meritorious sacrifice, that all man- 
kind are restored to the favor of God, and 
put in a way of salvation ; God having, 
for his Son's sake, promised to pardon all 
who shall repent of and forsake their sins, 
and bring forth fruits meet for repent- 
ance ; and also to give his Holy Spirit to 
all who shall sincerely desire him ; and 
lastly to make them eternally happy after 
death, if during this short state of trial, 
which is designed to amend our corrupt 
nature, they observe those rules which 
he has given them, and which are abso- 
lutely necessary to make them capable of 
heaven and happiness. 



communicant's companion. 193 

Let us now, O my soul, rest here, and 
adore that infinite goodness of God, who 
did not overlook lost mankind, but sent 
his only begotten Son to redeem us, when 
he might, in strict justice, have required 
us to live up to the law of nature and rea- 
son, on pain of being for ever separated 
from his presence ; but instead of that, has 
been graciously pleased to accept of our 
sincere, though imperfect obedience, and of 
our hearty repentance, when we have done 
amiss and have returned to our duty. 



17* 






194 catechumen's and 



MORNING AND EVENING PRAYERS 

FOR 

ETEBY DAY IN THE WEEK. 



Sabbath Morning. 

thou Lord of the Sabbath ! enable usr, 
on this morning of thy holy day, to wor- 
ship thee in spirit and in truth. May we 
find it good to draw near to thee m prayer; 
We thank thee for the consecration of one 
day in seven to thine immediate service* 
This is the day which the Lord hath made ; 
Ave will rejoice and be glad in it. Grant 
us thy gracious presence and blessing. 
Take oif our thoughts from the vanities 
of time and sense, and place them upon 
divine and heavenly things. We would 
cease from our own works, as God on the 
seventh day did from his, and call the 
Sabbath a delight,, the holy of the Lord 
honorable. We confess before thee, O 
God ! our manifold transgressions. With 



communicant's companion. 195 

the leper under the law, we cry, unclean, 
unclean ; and with the humble publican, 
God ! be merciful to us, sinners. Like 
penitent Job, we would abhor ourselves^ 
and repent in dust and ashes. thou 
God of salvation ! have mercy on us. We 
bless thee, God ! for our creation and 
preservation ; for the kind care thou hast 
taken of us, from the commencement of 
oui existence to the present moment. We 
thank thee especially for the gift of thy 
Son to a lost world, and for the method of 
salvation by him. What shall we render 
unto the Lord for all his benefits towards 
us ? We will offer to thee the sacrifice of 
thanksgiving, and call upon the name of 
the Lord. We would present our bodies 
a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable un- 
to God, which is our reasonable service, 
When permitted to wait upon thee in 
thine earthly courts, grant us thy bless- 
ing. Help us to "keep our feet, when we 
go to the house of God, and to be more 
ready to hear, than to offer the sacrifice 
of fools/' Be with all thy worshiping as- 



196 catechumen's and 

semblies every where this day. G-ive tliem 
fellowship with thee in thine ordinances, 
and. while in thy banqueting-house, may 
thy banner over them be love. Let none 
be disposed unnecessarily to forsake the 
assembling of themselves together, as the 
manner of some is. Impart unto the min- 
isters of the Gospel a double portion of 
thy Spirit. May they show themselves 
approved unto G-od, workmen that need not 
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word 
of truth. Bless the Minister whom thou 
hast placed over us. Make him wise to 
win souls unto Christ May this Sabbath 
be a spiritual birth-day to thousands. 
Open thou blind eyes, unstop deaf ears, 
and soften hard hearts. Instruct the ig- 
norant, reclaim the wandering and edify 
thy people. We thank thee, gracious 
Father ! for the mercies of the past night, 
and for the light and blessings of this holy 
morning. Let thy good providence pre- 
serve and defend us this day, and thy Holjr 
Spirit guide and comfort us. Prepare us 
for all the duties and events of subsequent 



communicant's companion. 197 

life, and, especially, for death, judgment 
and a happy eternity. And now, thou 
prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God! 
hear our supplications, and grant us an 
answer in peace through Jesus Christ; to 
whom, as the Lamb that was slain to re- 
deem us to God by his blood, be blessing, 
and honor, and glory, and power for ever 
and ever. Amen. 

Sahhath Evening. 

Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, 
which art, and wast, and art to come ! thy 
name endureth for ever, and thy memorial 
unto all generations. Help us at the close 
of this thy holy day, to bow before thee 
with profound veneration. We thank thee 
for the Sabbath and its sacred privileges. 
Accept, through the mediation of the heav- 
enly Advocate, our praises and thanks- 
givings; hear our supplications, and sanc- 
tify to us the instructions of thy word. 
May what we have this day heard, read 
and meditated upon, of a religious nature, 
deeply impress our minds and do us good, 



198 catechumen's and 

If we have misspent or profaued in any 
degree thy holy day, pardon us, we be- 
seech thee. May the services of thy peo- 
ple, in all parts of Christendom, come up 
in acceptable remembrance before thee. 
Let what they have this day learned of 
God and his law, their depravity and ruin, 
Christ and his gospel, powerfully impress 
their hearts and influence their prac- 
tice. May thy word, this day dispensed, 
be quick and powerful, and sharper than 
any two-edged sword, piercing even to the 
dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and 
of the joints and marrow. Bless all thy 
churches. Build them up in the faith, 
order and purity of the gospel. May all 
who minister at thy holy altar be richly 
furnished for the services of the sanctuary, 
and be inspired with an ardent love for 
the souls of men. Bless thy servant who 
ministers in spiritual things unto us. May 
he be instant in season and out of season, 
laboring abundantly in word and doc- 
trine, not teaching for doctrines, the com- 
mandments of men, but the pure word of 



communicant's companion. 199 

G-od. Grant success to all attempts to 
spread the gospel to the ends of the earth, 
and to save a perishing world. Lord ! 
graciously regard us, who are now wor- 
shiping before thee. Behold ! we are vile, 
what shall we answer thee ? Our sins are 
more numerous than the hairs of our 
heads, and testify against us. But, Lord ! 
enter not into judgment with us, for in 
thy sight shall no man living be justified. 
With the disciples of Christ, we pray, 
Lord ! save us ; we perish. thou who 
art exalted to give repentance to Israel, 
and remission of sins, give us godly sor- 
row, which worketh repentance to salva- 
tion not to be repented of. Pardon us, we 
beseech thee, God ! and accept us in the 
Beloved. We thank thee, heavenly Father, 
that thou hast so tenderly loved us, as to 
give thine only begotten Son to die for us. 
Praised be thy name, that eternal redemp- 
tion may be obtained through the blood of 
sprinkling. We give thee thanks, God ! 
for the blessings of life, and of the past 
day in particular. We commit ourselves 



200 catechumen's and 

Into thy hands for keeping this night 
thou Shepherd of Israel, who never slum- 
berest nor sleepest ! May we lie down to 
rest in peace and safety, and in favor with 
God and man. Having been refreshed with 
sleep, bring us to behold the morning, re- 
joicing in its light, and in thy loving kind- 
ness. Ever may we act in thy fear, and 
live to thy glory. When the evening of 
life shall arrive, and we are called to close 
the day of toil and trouble, may we fall 
asleep in Jesus, and, in the morning of 
the resurrection, awake to a glorious and 
blissful immortality. Hear our prayer, 
Lord ! give ear to our supplications ; in thy 
faithfulness answer us, and in thy right- 
eousness. Now unto the King eternal, im- 
mortal, invisible, the only wise God, be 
honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen, 

Monday Morning. 

Our voice shalt thou hear in the morn- 
ing, Lord ; in the morning will we di- 
rect our prayer unto thee, and will look 
up. Lord ! teach us to pray in faith, for 



communicant's companion. 201 

he that eometh to God must believe that 
he is, and that he is a rewarder of them 
who diligently seek him. thou eternal 
Father ! we have sinned against heaven 
and before thee, and are no more worthy 
to be called thy children. We have acted 
the part of prodigals. We have strayed 
far from our heavenly Father's house, and 
wantonly rioted in the vanities and follies 
of the world. We would repent and re- 
turn ; and, ! have compassion upon us. 
Hide thy face from our sins, and blot out 
all our iniquities. Enable us to lay aside 
every weight, and the sin which doth so 
easily beset us, and to run with patience 
the race that is set before us, looking un- 
to Jesus, the author and finisher of our 
faith. Fulfil in us all the good pleasure 
of thy goodness, and the work of faith 
with power. Help us to set our affections 
on things above, and to withdraw them 
from things on the earth ; and to lay up 
for ourselves treasures in heaven, where 
neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and 
where thieves do not break through, nor 
18 



202 catechumen's ahd 

steal. Ever may we live mindful of the 
day of judgment, when the Lord Jesus 
shall be revealed from heaven with his 
mighty angels in flaming fire, taking ven- 
geance on them that know not God, and 
that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus 
Christ ; and when he shall come to be glo- 
rified in his saints, and to be admired in 
all them that believe in that day. Bless 
all our dear absent friends and connections 
with the same favors we ask for ourselves. 
Forgive our enemies, and reward our ben- 
efactors. Do good in thy good pleasure 
unto Zion ; build thou the walls of Jeru- 
salem. Eectify every thing which is amiss 
in the Christian church, in doctrine, prac- 
tice, and discipline. Give unto them who 
mourn in Zion, beauty for ashes, the oil 
of joy for mourning, and the garment of 
praise for the spirit of heaviness. Have 
compassion, God ! upon impenitent sin- 
ners. Show them that they stand on 
slippery places, and turn their feet unto 
thy testimonies, before they are beyond 
the reach of mercy, where no place for re- 



_ ^communicant's companion. 203 

pentance can be found, though they seek 
it carefully with tears. ! pluck them, 
we beseech thee, as brands out of the burn- 
ing, and save them from everlasting de- 
struction. Bless our highly favored coun- 
try. May it ever be the residence of free- 
dom, peace, and happiness, and a safe re- 
treat for the persecuted and oppressed. 
Make all who are in places of public trust 
faithful to the public interest. Bless, we 
pray thee, the whole family of man with 
knowledge, righteousness, and salvation. 
thou G-od of mercies ! we thank thee for 
the blessings we have enjoyed. Thou hast 
been to us a bountiful benefactor. We 
have been fed, and clothed, and sustained 
bj thee. And we are under ten thousand 
obligations of gratitude to the Father of 
mercies. We praise thee, that thou didst 
keep us during the silent watches of the 
night, and hast lifted upon us the light of 
this new day in circumstances of comfort. 
Be with us during this day, and all our 
earthly existence. Guide us in the path 
of duty and salvation. As our Lord has 



204 catechumen's and 

taught us, so we pray, Our Father, who 
art in heaven ! &c. Amen. 

Monday Evening. 

Almighty God and most merciful Fath- 
er ! we adore thee as a being possessed of 
all possible perfections, excellence, and 
glory. Who is like unto thee, Lord! 
glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, do- 
ing wonders ? We approach thee through 
Jesus Christ, who is Mediator between God 
and man. In the name of our great High 
Priest, who is passed into the heavens, 
we would come boldly unto the throne of 
grace, that we may obtain mercy and find 
grace to help in time of need. We thank 
thee, Lord! thafc thou didst make man 
with such noble powers of body and mind. 
But, we have to acknowledge the apostacy 
of the human race. The crown is fallen 
from our head : woe unto us that we have 
sinned. Our hearts by nature are deceitful 
above all things, and desperately wicked. 
0, wretched are we ! who shall deliver us 
from the body of this death ! Our flesh 



communicant's companion. 205 

trembleth for fear of thee, and we are 
afraid of thy judgments. Praised be thy 
name ; that thou hast not cut us down as 
cumberers of the ground, but that we 
have still a standing in thy vineyard. 
Thou art waiting to be gracious, and call- 
ing by the voice of providence and the 
glorious gospel, saying, Turn ye, turn 
ye, for why will ye die. that we might 
obey thy calls, turn and live ! Give us re- 
pentance towards God, and faith towards 
our Lord Jesus Christ. May we have the 
blessedness of that man whose iniquities 
are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 
Enable us so to exercise ourselves as to 
have always a conscience void of offence 
towards God and towards man. Lord ! 
graciously regard those who are in a state 
of impenitence. Teach transgressors thy 
ways, and let sinners be converted unto 
thee. Quicken those who are dead in tres- 
passes and sins. Bless the aged. Support 
them in the decline of life, and let the 
evening of their days be tranquil and 
happy. Command thy blessing upon the 
18* 



206 catechumen's and 

middle aged and the rising generation. 
May parents command their children and 
their households after them, that they 
may keep the way of the Lord, to do jus- 
t-ice and judgment. Comfort Zion, make 
her wilderness like Eden, and her desert 
like the garden of the Lord, that joy and 
gladness may be found therein, thanksgiv- 
ing, and the voice of melody. Great Au- 
thor of our being and blessings t we thank 
thee for the favors which thou hast been 
pleased to bestow upon us. From thine 
inexhaustible fullness, our daily wants 
have been supplied. We bless thee for 
the wonders of redeeming love, for the 
overtures of mercy, and for the day and 
means of grace. Make us wise unto eter- 
nal life. Help us to choose that good part, 
which shall never be taken away from us. 
We thank thee, Lord! for the protection 
and blessings of another day and evening. 
We now commit ourselves, soul and body, 
into thy keeping for this night. May thy 
holy angels encamp around our habitation, 
and defend us. Bring us in safety to see 



communicant's companion. 207 

another day, prepared for its duties and 
events. Guide, guard, and bless us in this 
state of trial, and at death receive us to 
mansions of glory, through the atonement 
and intercession of Jesus Christ. Now 
unto him that is able to keep us from fall- 
ing, and to present us faultless before the 
presence of his glory with exceeding joy ; 
to the only wise God our Saviour, be glo- 
ry and majesty, dominion and power, both 
now and ever. Amen. 

Tuesday Morning. 

thou high and lofty One that inhab- 
itest eternity, whose name is Holy! praised 
be thy name, though thou art exalted as 
God over all, blessed for evermore; yet 
thou dost condescend to dwell with those, 
who are of a contrite and humble spirit, to 
revive the spirit of the humble, and the 
heart of the contrite. OLord! in thine 
infinite condescension look down upon us, 
now prostrate before thee. We humbly 
confess all our iniquities and guilt. We 
have erred and strayed like lost sheep. 



208 catechumen's and 

When we have known our Master's will, 
we have not been careful to perform it, and 
therefore deserve to be beaten with many 
stripes. Lord ! have mercy upon us 
miserable sinners. Spare thou us, who con- 
fess our faults. Let us know the plague 
of our hearts, and see what evil dwells 
within us. Grive us the deepest penitence 
for sin ; for a broken heart, Grod ! thou 
wilt not despise. May we think on our 
ways, and turn unto the Lord, from whom 
we have so ungratefully revolted. for 
an interest in Christ, whose blood cle#nseth 
from all sin. We would go unto the glo- 
rious Saviour, who hath said, Come unto 
me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, 
and I will give you rest. Enable us at all 
times to possess the temper of christians, 
that we may manifest ourselves to be the 
disciples of the meek and lowly Jesus. O 
thou compassionate Father in heaven ! be 
pleased to extend thy grace to the whole 
family of man. Grive thy Son the heathen 
for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts 
of the earth for his possession. Let the 



communicant's companion. 209 

gospel be preached to every creature under 
heaven, and be effectual to their conver- 
sion and salvation. Give to the ministers 
of the Gospel, ardent zeal in their Divine 
Master's service, and eminent success in 
their high calling. We give thee thanks 
for thy manifold goodness in redemption. 
We praise thee, Lord, for the news of 
eternal life, published in the gospel ; that 
we are come not unto mount Sinai, that 
burns with fire, and threatens death ; "but 
unto mount Zion, which proclaims mercy 
to every penitent. We bless thee, too, for 
the bounties of thy daily providence. — 
Surely goodness and mercy have followed 
us all our days. We render thee thanks 
for the mercies of the night past. We laid 
us down and slept ; we awaked, for thou, 
Lord ! hast sustained us. Go forth with us, 
we beseech thee, in the concerns of this 
day. Prosper us in our lawful undertak- 
ings. Guide us by thine unerring wisdom, 
all the days of our pilgrimage, and enable 
us at death to depart this life in the tri- 
umphs of a christian hope. And when 



210 catechumen's and 

absent from the body may we be present 
with the Lord, and be permitted to cele- 
brate for ever the praises of redeeming love. 
All which we ask in the name, and through 
the mediation of Jesus Christ; to whom, 
with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, be 
equal and everlasting honors. Amen, 

Tuesday Evening. 

Supremely great and ever glorious Lord 
our, G-od ! before thee angels, veiling their 
faces, bow and worship. Permit us, who 
dwell on thy foot-stool, unworthy as we 
are, to approach thy sacred Majesty's pres- 
ence, at this time, through the atoning 
blood of Jesus. It is a good thing to give 
thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises 
unto thy name, Most High ! to show forth 
thy loving kindness in the morning, and 
thy faithfulness every night. Blessed be 
G-od, who hath preserved us in our going 
out and coming in, the day past, and who 
daily loads us with benefits. We have 
been the recipients of the Divine bounty 
continually, and we would gratefully ac- 



communicant's companion. 211 

knowledge the hand that has supplied us. 
Take care of us, Lord ! this night. Keep 
us as the apple of thine eye. Hide us un- 
der the shadow of thy wings. May we 
commune with our own hearts upon our 
beds, and meditate upon thee in the night 
watches. Bring us to behold the light of 
another day, better prepared to serve thee 
than ever yet we have been. Be with us 
in all subsequent life. As thou hast 
guarded and blessed us in infancy, in youth, 
and in riper years ; so do thou continue to 
be our Guardian and Benefactor. While 
we rejoice that thou hast given us birth 
and education in a land of gospel light 
and liberty, may we not abuse our exalted 
privileges and blessings. Lord ! we con- 
fess that we have ill-requited thee for thy 
goodness. We have been disobedient chil- 
dren. We have violated thy precepts, and 
despised thy mercy. Our trespasses have 
reached unto the clouds, and cry aloud for 
vengeance to be executed upon our guilty 
heads. It is thine amazing, thine infinite 
forbearance that keeps us out of hell. Look 



212 catechumen's and 

in mercy upon us, God of mercy ! Turn 
us, and we shall be turned; draw us with 
the cords of thy love, and we shall run after 
thee ; mould us into thine image, and we 
shall be holy. Lord ! lift thou up the light 
of thy countenance upon us, and put glad- 
ness into our hearts. Ever may we act as 
accountable creatures, and faithfully dis- 
charge the duties of our several stations 
and relations in life. May we be dead to 
this world, and alive to God and divine 
things, and always live prepared for death 5 
judgment, and eternity. Bless the whole 
christian church, of whatever denomina- 
tion. Purge it from corruptions, heal its 
divisions, and increase its numbers. Pour 
out thy Holy Spirit, and revive pure reli- 
gion, and undefiled before God and the 
Father, in this place. Let converts to 
Jesus be multiplied, and let many be added 
to the church, who shall finally be saved. 
Bless thy servant, who labors among us in 
word and doctrine. Make him faithful 
and successful, as an ambassador of Christ. 
Have compassion, Lord ! .upon the whole 



communicant's companion. 213 

family of man. By thy all-conquering 
grace suppress all vice, error, and delusion. 
Plant Immanuers standard in every land. 
Let thy word have free course and be glo- 
rified ; and let the earth be full of the 
knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover 
the sea, and let all flesh see thy salvation, 
And glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 
and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the 
beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world 
without end. Amen. 

Wednesday Morning 

thou God of the morning, as well as 
of the evening ! help us to worship and bow 
down, to kneel before the Lord our maker,, 
and to offer unto thee a sacrifice of praise 
and prayer. Thou hast prepared thy 
throne in the heavens, and thy kingdom 
ruleth over all. We rejoice that thou hast 
proclaimed thyself the Lord God, merciful 
and gracious, long-suffering and abundant 
in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for 
thousands, forgiving iniquity, and trans- 
gression and sin, and that will by no means 
19 



214 catechumen's and 

clear the guilty. Lord! what is man 5 
that thou art mindful of him ? and the son 
of man, that thou visitest him ? We con- 
fess we are but sinful dust and ashes. We 
have gone away from our Maker, and 
practically said, depart from us, for we de- 
sire not a knowledge of thy ways. If thou, 
Lord! shouldst mark iniquities, Lord! 
who shall stand ? But there is forgiveness 
with thee, that thou mayest be feared. 
Eemit unto us all our sins, and be at peace 
with us in the blood of Christ. Dwell in 
us by thy Spirit, and cause the sacred fire 
of holy affection to flame in our hearts. 
Work in us, Gk>d ! both to will and to do 
of thy good pleasure, that we may work 
out our salvation with fear &nd trembling. 
Ever may it be as our meat and drink to 
do the will of our Father in heaven ; and 
ever may we resemble those blessed spirits 
above, whose love is most ardent, and 
whose obedience is most perfect. In all 
that we do, may we aim to promote the 
glory of God, and to diffuse happiness 
around us. And may our path be as the 



communicant's companion. 215 

shilling light, which shineth more and 
more unto the perfect day. Lord ! as 
thou hast directed us, so we would make 
intercessions for all men. Cause thy* 
churches to revive, and shoot forth as the 
branches of Lebanon, and kings to become 
nursing fathers, and queens nursing moth- 
ers to the whole Israel of God. Eoll on 
the golden age of light and love, when the 
holy and happy kingdom of Christ shall 
embrace the great family of man. Bless 
the ministers of religion. Give them the 
heart of the pious, the tongue of the learn- 
ed, and the zeal of the faithful, and let 
their labors not be in vain in the Lord. 
thou sovereign Euler among the kingdoms 
of the earth ! we pray thee to bless all na- 
tions, especially the land in which we live. 
Endue the President of these United States 
with patriotic principles. Ever may he 
know what the American Israel ought to 
do, and have an invincible desire to pro- 
mote the highest prosperity and happiness 
of this great nation. Make all^our officers 
peace, and our exactors righteousness. — 



218 catechumen's and 

May our judges honor justice in our courts 
of judgment. Accept, Lord ! our ac- 
knowledgments for all favors bestowed 
upon us. We tliank thee for the capaci- 
ties, intellectual and moral, with which 
thou hast endued us. We rejoice in the 
overtures of mercy, made us in the gospel, 
and in the weighty motives to persuade 
men to embrace the Saviour and live. We 
bless thee for the guardian care thou didst 
exercise over us the last night. thou 
Shepherd of Israel ! praised be thy name, 
that we were preserved, while others slept 
the sleep of death, that no distressing acci- 
dent befel us, and that thou hast opened 
upon us the eye-lids of the morning in cir- 
cumstances so favorable. We commit our- 
selves into thy hands for keeping this day, 
as unto a faithful Creator. To thee belong 
the issues of life and death. Give us grace 
to do all the work of the day in its day. 
May we persevere in well doing unto the 
end of life, and receive a crown of glory 
that fadeth not away. All which we ask 
in the name of our ascended and glorified 



communicant's companion. 217 

Mediator. Now unto the Three that bear 

record in heaven, the Father, the "Word, 

and the Holy Ghost, be glory for ever. — 

Amen. 

Wednesday Evening. 

Eternal and unchangeable God ! we adore 
thee as the supreme Majesty of heaven and 
earth. All nations before thee are as 
nothing ; and they are counted to thee less 
than nothing and vanity. Hearken unto 
the voice of Our cry, our King and our God ! 
for unto thee we will pray. We acknow- 
ledge, God! the depravity of our natures; 
our sins have risen, as mountains, to sepa- 
rate between thee and us. We are polluted 
from the crown of the head to the sole of 
the foot; there is no soundness in us. 
Whither, Lord! shall we go for cleans- 
ing ? Wash us from sin and uncleanness 
in that fountain, opened to the house of 
David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 
Though our sins be as scarlet, may they 
be white as snow ; though they be red like 
crimson, may they be as wool. May we 
abhor that which is evil, and cleave to that 
19* 



218 catechumen's and 

which is good. May we be fervent in spirit, 
serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, pa- 
tient in tribulation, continuing instant 
in prayer. Divest us of pride, and clothe 
us with humility, and make us partakers of 
the inheritance of the saints in light. We 
thank thee for thy written word, and that 
the law of the Lord is perfect, converting 
the soul ; that the testimony of the Lord 
is sure, making wise the simple, more to 
be desired than gold, yea, than much 
fine gold ; sweeter than honey, and the 
honey comb. We bless thee for a preached 
gospel, and that it is the wisdom of God 
and the power of God unto salvation, to 
every one that believeth. May grace be 
with all them that love our Lord Jesus 
Christ in sincerity and truth. May thy 
professing people be much in prayer, that 
they may obtain a blessing for themselves 
and a sinful, deluded world. Bless the 
ministers of religion. Make them burning 
and shining lights in thy golden candle- 
sticks. Endue them with wisdom, pru- 
dence, and holy zeal. Bless the great 



communicant's companion. 219 

council of our nation. Eule in the hearts 
of our rulers. May all who take part in 
civil affairs, be just, ruling in thy fear. 
Mercifully regard ail the interests of our 
country, domestic and foreign. Exercise 
compassion towards all people that dwell 
upon the face of the earth. Oh ! let the 
wickedness of the wicked come to an end; 
but establish the just. Comfort all that 
are in trouble and affliction. Believe the 
wants of the poor and needy, sustain those 
who are languishing on beds of sickness 
and sorrow, convert the unconverted, save 
the perishing, and fill the earth with thy 
glory. Bless our family with all needed 
temporal and spiritual favors. Let our 
lives, health, and happiness, be precious in 
thy sight. May the return of night re- 
mind us of the night of death, and that 
soon we must close our eyes upon all things 
here below. We praise thee for the pro- 
tection, the supplies and comforts of another 
day. To thy merciful care we commend 
ourselves this night. Defend our persons, 
dwelling, and possessions. May we awake 



220 catechumen's and 

in the morning, and be still with God. Be 
pleased, Lord ! to accept this our evening 
service in the name of the blessed Jesus : 
to whom be praises everlasting. Amen. 

Thursday Morning. 

thou who hearest prayer, and unto 
whom all flesh should come ! graciously 
assist us to call upon thy great and holy 
name this morning. Lord ! thou art- 
incomprehensible in thy nature, infinite in 
thy perfections, and unwearied in thy 
goodness. Thy providential care extends 
to all thy creatures. The Lord is good to 
all, and his tender mercies are over all his 
works. "We acknowledge the purity, equi- 
ty, and fitness of thy laws, and the clem- 
ency of thy government. We acknowledge 
the grace and glory of thy gospel, and 
the freeness, and the richness of thy sal- 
vation. that men would praise the Lord 
for his goodness, and for his wonderful 
w T orks to the children of men. But, alas ! 
we have forsaken God who made us, and 
lightly esteemed the Bock of our salvation. 



communicant's companion. 221 

We have been wise to do evil, but to do 
good, we have bad no knowledge. 
Lord ! righteousness belongeth unto thee, 
but unto us confusion of face. We humbly 
pray thee, lay not judgment to the line, 
nor righteousness to the plummet ; for in 
thy sight shall no man living be justified. 
Forgive us, we beseech thee. Impress 
thine image upon us, and make us the mon- 
uments of thy mercy, and the trophies of 
thy victorious grace. Break the fatal en- 
chantment of sin, that holds down our 
affections to this world. Enkindle within 
us a flame of divine love, that shall never 
be extinguished. for more love, faith 
and hope. Extend thy compassions to all 
men. Enlighten the Grentile world with 
a knowledge of the truth. May the Son 
of righteousness arise upon them with 
healing in his wings. Let the wilderness 
and the solitary place be glad for them, 
and the desert rejoice and blossom as the 
rose. Let Zion share in the blessings of 
her Lord and Saviour. We rejoice that 
the church lies near thy heart, and that 



222 catechumen's and 

her name is engraven on the palms of thy 
hands. Furnish all the churches with 
suitable guides. Give unto all destitute 
flocks, pastors after thine own heart — men 
of understanding and piety. May the 
ministers of the Gospel cry aloud and 
spare not, lift up their voice like a trum- 
pet, and show thy people their transgres- 
sions, and the house of Jacob their sins, 
and thus clear their own skirts from the 
blood of souls. thou great Fountain of 
love ! compassionate all those who are per- 
secuted, enslaved, or in prison. Pity the 
sick and the afflicted, the poor and the 
needy, the tempted and the disconsolate, 
the widow and the fatherless. May thy 
blessings, Lord ! rest upon our family, 
as it did upon the house of Obed-edom, 
v/here the ark of the Lord dwelt ; and 
may all who appertain to it belong to the 
household of faith, and be numbered with 
thy jewels, when thou shalt make them 
up. We thank thee for the mercies of our 
lives, which demand our unfeigned grati- 
tude. Thou hast soothed our sorrows, 



communicant's companion. 225 

healed our diseases, and richly supplied 
our wants. Praised by thy name for the 
blessings of the night, that our repose was 
quiet and undisturbed, and that thou hast 
caused the day-spring to know his place. 
This day grant us thy presence, shield us 
from all dangers, and administer to our 
temporal and spiritual necessities. Be 
with us and bless us all the days we are 
permitted to live upon the earth : and 
when we drop this veil of flesh, may our 
souls rise to regions of eternal blessedness 
and glory. This our morning sacrifice 
we offer in the name of thy beloved Son, 
our great High Priest above, to whom be 
rendered unceasing praises. Amen. 

Thursday Evening. 

Most merciful Father in heaven ! thee 
we adore as the Grod of nature, providence 
and grace. Thou makest the outgoings 
of the morning and evening to rejoice. 
We would this evening approach thee 
with reverence and godly fear. And, ! 
let not our hearts be far from thee while 



224 catechumen's and 

we draw nigh unto thee with our mouths, 
and honor thee with our lips. We have 
reason, Lord ! with shame, remorse, and 
the deepest contrition, to confess our sins. 
We have forsaken thee, the fountain of 
living waters, and hewed out to ourselves 
cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no 
water. We have abused thy gifts, despised 
thy goodness, and disobeyed thy com- 
mandments. Like Ephraim, we would 
bemoan ourselves with penitential grief 
and sorrow. Ever may we exhibit the 
humility which becomes offenders, for God 
resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto 
the humble. Let us not be conformed to 
this world, but may we be transformed by 
the renewing of our minds, that we may 
prove what is that good^ and acceptable, 
and perfect will of God. thou beneficent 
Parent ! write laws of gratitude upon our 
hearts for thy varied goodness. Thou 
hast daily loaded us with benefits. Thy 
munificence hath spread our tables, sup- 
plied our wants, and given us all things 
richly to eDjoy. Goodness and mercy have 



communicant's companion. 225 

followed us during all our pilgrimage. 
We tliank thee for the riches of thy grace 
in Christ, and for that crown of glory 
which waits all true "believers. Have com- 
passion, Lord ! upon the careless and 
secure. May the transcendent excellen- 
cies and glories of the Son of God, and of 
the mediatorial kingdom, attract their at- 
tention, and lead them to embrace Christ 
as their Kecleemer and Saviour. Comfort 
the afflicted, confirm the doubting, cheer 
the disconsolate, and sustain the aged 
under their infirmities. Arise, G-ocl ! 
and have mercy upon Zion. Lengthen her 
cords, and strengthen her stakes. Pour 
out thy Spirit, and cause that there may 
be a genera] revival of religion. We thank 
thee that thou hast revived thy work in so 
many places, and that such multitudes 
have been born into the kingdom of thy 
dear Son. let there be a revival of reli- 
gion in this place. May thy ministering 
servant among us be greatly blessed as an 
ambassador of Christ. Touch his heart 
as with alive coal from off thine altar, and 
20 



226 catechumen's and 

enable him to dispense the oracles of God 
with faithfulness and success. And may 
many persons who are now dead in tres- 
passes and sins, be quickened, and made 
spiritually alive. Lord ! we humbly 
thank thee for the favors of the past day. 
Afford us protection this night. May no 
evil come nigh our persons or habitation. 
Let us lie down upon our beds pardoned 
and accepted. Grant us sweet communion 
with thee in the watches of the night. 
May our sleep be refreshing, and not that 
of death. In the morning may we arise 
in health and activity. Cause that the 
voice of rejoicing and salvation may ever 
be heard in our tabernacle. thou glori- 
ous God ! deliver our souls from death, and 
our eyes from tears, and our feet from fail- 
ing. And when our days shall be num- 
bered and finished, like good old Simeon, 
let us depart in peace, our eyes having 
seen thy salvation. ISTow, to him who 
loved us and washed us from our sins in 
his own blood, to him be glory and domin- 
ion for ever and ever. Amen. 



communicant's companion. 227 

Friday Morning. 

thou, who art the Most High over all 
the earth ! before thee all holy creatures 
prostrate themselves and worship. And 
thou art worthy, Lord ! to receive glory 
and honor and power ; for thou hast cre- 
ated all things, and for thy pleasure they 
are and were created. We come this morn- 
ing to pay thee homage as our Creator, 
Preserver, and Benefactor. We rejoice 
that Christ has come into the world to 
save sinners, and that his doctrines are 
pure and spiritual, his example amiable 
and godlike, and his sufferings and death 
an expiatory sacrifice for sin. When we 
consider the excellence of thy nature, the 
holiness of thy law, and the riches of thy 
grace, we have reason to be overwhelmed 
with confusion at the remembrance of our 
ingratitude, our transgressions of thy law, 
and our disregard of thy glorious charac- 
ter. By our sins we have become obnox- 
ious to thy justice. But thou hast not 
forgotten to be gracious. Turn us, God ! 



228 catechumen's ake> 

and cause thy face to shine, and we shall 
be saved. Set us as seals upon thine heart; 
as seals upon thine arm. We would aspire 
after a perfect likeness to the moral image 
of God, and he followers of them who, 
through faith and patience, inherit the 
promises. Show favor, blessed G-od ! to 
all ranks and descriptions of persons. We 
plead for Zion. Cause a glorious accession 
to be made to thy churches. Let all who 
have named the name of Christ, depart 
from iniquity. While in this wilderness, 
direct them by the fiery,, cloudy pillar, and 
give them the manna from heaven, and 
the streams of the smitten rock. May 
their holy purposes and resolutions, their 
works of faith, and labors of love, and pa- 
tience of hope, in our Lord Jesus Christ, 
be recorded in thy book of remembrance 
as a memorial in their behalf. Extend the 
golden sceptre of mercy to a world lying 
in wickedness. Enlarge the kingdom of 
the Prince of peace, and diffuse christian 
knowledge and happiness to the utmost 
bounds of the earth. Smile upon this 



communicant's companion. 229 

nation. Preserve us from war, pestilence, 
famine, and every evil thing. Bless our 
family in particular. And may we all 
belong to the household of faith, and to 
the family of heaven. We thank thee, 
Lord ! for all social favors, and domestic 
enjoyments. We bless thee that thou hast 
kept us during the night ; that we were 
preserved from devouring flames, from the 
pestilence that walketh in darkness, and 
from the sleep of death. We praise thee 
that we see the light, and enjoy the com- 
forts of another day. Compass us about 
as with a shield, and preserve 4is in our 
going out and coming in, at all times, and 
in all places. Prosper us in the lawful 
work of our hands, and provide for our 
returning wants. May we persevere in 
well-doing till we arrive at the celestial 
Zion, and are permitted to serve God clay 
and night in his temple above. Now to 
him that is of power to establish us ac- 
cording to his gospel, and the preaching 
of Jesus Christ, to Grod only wise, be glory, 
through Jesus Christ, for ever. Amen. 
20* 



230 catechumen's ani> 

Friday Evening. 

Lord our God ! help up us this even- 
ing to worship thee in the beauty of holi- 
ness. Thou hast never said to the seed of 
Jacob ; Seek ye my face in vain. We would, 
therefore, call upon thy great and holy 
name, believing that thou art, and that 
thou art a rewarder of them who diligently 
seek thee. Lord I we confess our sins of 
omission and commission. We have pur- 
sued too much the pleasures, honors, and 
splendors of the world. How often have 
we offended in thought, word, and action! 
How stubborn have been our wills, how 
vain our thoughts, and how earthly our 
affections ! Our hearts cleave to the dust. 
We would feel that we have offended, and 
that there is no help in ourselves. We 
would hope in the Lord, for with the Lord 
there is mercy, and with him is plenteous 
redemption. Eemember not the sins of 
our youth and riper years ; but blot out 
all transgressions, and give us the peace 
of God, which passeth all understanding, 



communicant's companion. 231 

thou Physician of souls! heal our spir- 
itual maladies; restore us to health and 
soundness, and to the joy of thy salvation. 
Teach transgressors thy ways, and turn 
the disobedient to the wisdom of the just. 
Suffer not those who are rich in this world, 
to be high-minded, and to trust in uncer- 
tain riches, but in the living God, who 
giveth them all things richly to enjoy. 
May they do good, and be rich in good 
works, ready to distribute, willing to com- 
municate^ laying up in store for themselves 
a good foundation against the time to come, 
that they may lay hold on eternal life. 
Make all the poor in this world rich in 
faith, and heirs of the kingdom. May 
every christian society flourish in know- 
ledge, holiness, and peace. Build thou the 
waste places of Zion. Give unto all desti- 
tute flocks pastors after thine own heart. 
Let thy priests be clothed with righteous- 
ness; and let thy saints shout for joy. 
Send forth heralds of salvation, to plant 
churches in the region of darkness and the 
shadow of death. Guide in the public 



232 catechumen's and 

councils of our nation ; over-rule all our 
civil affairs for thy glory. Make all our 
colleges nurseries of piety, as well as of 
useful knowledge. Cast into them the salt 
of grace, that from these fountains may 
issue streams which shall make glad the 
city of our God. Thanks to thy name, all 
gracious Father ! for the blessings of thy 
good providence ; that thou hast watched 
over us with paternal care, preserved us in 
existence, and afforded us a competence of 
the good things of this life. We would 
rejoice that Christ has died to redeem us, 
and that thou hast accepted his atoning 
sacrifice. We thank thee for the blessings 
of another day, that thou hast preserved us 
amidst dangers, that we are still in the, 
land of the living, and in the enjoyment 
of health, liberty, and safety. thou 
Guardian of men ! take our family under 
thy protection this night. May our dwell- 
ing place be a safe and quiet habitation. 
May the shadows of the evening remind us 
of the night of death, and the importance 
of preparing for it. Bring us to see the 



communicant's companion. 233 

light of a new day, rejoicing in the loving 
kindness and tender mercy of our heavenly 
Father. May our days on earth be happy, 
and our eternity joyous. And glory be to 
God the Father, and to the Son, and to the 
Holy Ghost. Amen. 

Saturday Morning. 

God ! thou art our God, early will we 
seek thee ; our fathers' God, and we will 
exalt thee. We would rejoice that in 
every thing, by prayer and supplication, 
with thanksgiving, we are to make known 
our request unto God. "We acknowledge, 
Lord ! that we have sinned against the 
light of nature, and against thy written 
law and gospel. We have been vain in our 
imaginations, and our foolish hearts have 
been darkened. We have been lovers of 
pleasure more than lovers of God. And, 
by our iniquities, we have exposed our- 
selves to thine everlasting displeasure. 
But, behold, God, our Shield ! and look 
upon the face of thine Anointed, and have 
mercy on us. May the blood of Christ, who 



234 catechumen's and 

through the eternal Spirit offered himself 
without spot to God, purge our consciences 
from dead works, to serve the living God. 
Search us, God ! and know our hearts ; 
try us, and know our thoughts, and see if 
there he any wicked way in us, and lead 
us in the way everlasting. Permit us not 
to spend the golden hours of time in the 
pursuit of vanity, but excite us to live as 
citizens of the spiritual Jerusalem, and to 
form our hearts and lives to the temper and 
manners of the heavenly world. Jesus, 
thou son of David! have mercy upon all 
men. Graciously regard those who are 
dead in trespasses and sins. Come, 
Breath ! and breathe upon these slain, that 
they may live. Teach the moralist the 
necessity of vital godliness, and the hypo- 
crite the deceitfulness of his heart, that he 
may stand amazed. Accomplish all thy 
predictions relative to the latter day glory 
of the church. May a way be opened for 
the introduction of the gospel into all lands. 
Let the pagans, who know nothing of God, 
Christ, and the Bible, renounce their idol- 



communicant's • COMPANION. 235 

atry, and embrace the religion of the gos- 
pel. Let the Mohammedans, who now take 
the Koran for their guide, cease to follow 
their delusions, and may they receive the 
Sacred Scriptures as heavenly oracles, and 
as the standard of their faith and prac- 
tice. May the Jews, who now reject the 
Saviour, ere long believe in him as the 
Messiah of the Scriptures, to their everlast- 
ing joy and salvation. May all the Papists 
give up their varied superstitions, and wor- 
ship God in the purity and simplicity of 
the gospel. And may all errors and false 
religion be done away. "We rejoice that 
thy immutable promise and attributes are 
pledged for the accomplishment of thy pre- 
dictions in reference to Zion. To this end 
bless all exertions that are making for the 
advancement of thy glory, and the salva- 
tion of men. that christians would arise 
and obey the command of their ascended 
Saviour, Go ye into all the world, and 
preach the gospel to every creature. We 
bless God for the religious instructions 
afforded us. We thank thee, that thou 



236 catechumen's and 

didst ; at sundry times, and in divers man- 
ners, speak in time past unto the Fathers, 
by the prophets, and in these last days 
hast spoken unto us by thy Son Jesus Christ, 
and his apostles. Ever may we take thy 
word as a lamp unto our feet, and alight un- 
to our path. Glory to God in the highest, for 
a plan of redemption, and the overtures of 
grace in the gospel. ! let us not despise 
the proffers of salvation, and reject a cru- 
cified Saviour. We praise thee for the 
mercies of the night; that while many 
were full of tossings to and fro unto the 
dawning of the day, we enjoyed quiet re- 
pose. Cause us to hear thy loving kind- 
ness in the morning, for in thee do we 
trust; cause us to know the way wherein 
we should walk, for we lift up our souls 
unto thee. Establish thou thy covenant 
with this family, for an everlasting cove- 
nant, even the sure mercies of David. Pre- 
pare us for the vicissitudes of this mortal 
state, and when we come to die, may we 
die in the Lord, and be blessed for ever. 
Be pleased, gracious God ! to accept our 



communicant's companion. 237 

persons and services in the Beloved. Now 
blessing and honor, and glory and power, 
be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, 
and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Saturday Evening. 

Infinitely powerful and glorious God! in 
the name of our great High Priest, who is 
passed into the heavens, we draw near un- 
to thee this evening. May we come unto 
thee, as children unto a father, who is able 
and ready to assist them. Indite our pe- 
titions for us, and enable us to present 
them before thee in faith. Thy throne, 
Grod ! is for ever and ever ; the sceptre of 
thy kingdom is a right sceptre. We adore 
the wisdom of thy purposes, the holiness 
of thy ways, and the riches of thy grace. 
We rejoice that in Christ Jesus mercy 
and truth are met together, righteousness 
and peace have embraced each other. 
Where sin hath abounded, grace can now 
much more abound. Deal with us accord- 
ing to the tenor of thine everlasting cove- 
nant of grace. Wash away our sins in the 
21 



238 catechumen's and 

blood of tlie immaculate Son of God, that 
we may be presented spotless before thy 
throne in glory. Subdue our vile passions, 
and make us willing captives of the Prince 
of peace. May the same mind be in us, 
which was also in Christ Jesus. Let us 
die daily unto sin, and live unto God. 
May we walk circumspectly, not as fools, 
but as wise, redeeming the time, because 
the clays are evil; and may we not be weary 
in well doing, for in due season we shall 
reap, if we faint not. Graciously regard, 
God ! all the sons and daughters,, of 
affliction. Be thou a Father to the father- 
less, and a Judge of the widows in thy 
holy habitation. Give redemption to cap- 
tives, loose the bands of wickedness, undo 
heavy burdens, and let the oppressed go 
free. Pity the sick, and heal their diseases. 
Furnish the destitute with food and rai- 
ment. Be a guide to them who travel by 
sea or land. Give to all, repentance, par- 
don, and salvation. Bless our American 
republic. We thank thee for our constitu- 
tions of government : that our rulers are 



communicant's companion. 239 

of ourselves, and our governors proceed 
from the midst of us. We thank thee for 
all our civil, religious, and literary privi- 
leges ; and that thou hast given us a good 
land, and crowned it with many blessings. 
Thou hast not dealt so with any nation. 
May our country continue to be under the 
care of thy watchful providence. May we 
be a holy, that we may be a happy people. 
May all our friends and relatives be the 
objects of thy favorable regard. Let them 
be enriched with the blessings of thy heav- 
enly grace. May Zion awake and put on 
her strength ; arise, shake herself from the 
dust, and put on her beautiful garments. 
Preserve the church from all dangers 
within and without. Extend her bounda- 
ries from sea to sea, and from the river to 
the ends of the earth. Make all the min- 
isters of religion faithful and zealous. 
Give them the tongue of the learned, that 
they may know how to speak a word in 
season to them that are weary. Let the 
heathen, now shrouded in the gloom of 
moral death, be irradiated with the light 



240 catechumen's and 

of tlie gospel. Lord ! how long shall 
darkness, ignorance, and superstition, so 
awfully reign? Arise, thou most mighty ! 
in thy strength, and convert, and save a 
perishing world. Now, Lord ! what wait 
we for ? Our hope is in thee. We thank 
thee, thou Guardian of man ! for the salva- 
tion and blessings of another day and week. 
Watch over us for good this night. Let 
thy holy angels pitch their tents around 
our habitation, and may we dwell in secu- 
rity. Prepare us for the duties and ser- 
vices of thy holy day. May it be a season 
of refreshing from the presence of the 
Lord. Dispose all our changes in mercy, 
and when time with us shall be no longer, 
receive us to mansions of eternal blessed- 
ness. "Now to the Lamb that was slain to 
redeem us to Grod by his blood, be power, 
and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and 
honor, and glory, and blessing for ever. — 
Amen. 



communicant's companion. 241 

A Prayer under grievous Pains. 

Lord, thou art a merciful God, and 
dost not afflict willingly, nor grieve tlie 
children of men ; when the necessity of our 
case calls for sharp applications, thou chas- 
tisest us for our profit, that we may be 
partakers of thy holiness. Blessed is the 
man whom thou chastenest, Lord, and 
teachest him out of thy law ! that it 
may be in much mercy to the soul of thy 
servant, that thy hand is so hard upon 
him at present ! Now that thou hast cast 
him into the furnace, that it may be a 
means to purge out his dross, and to fit 
him for thy acceptable use and service. 
that he may learn such things in the 
school of affliction, as may stand him in 
stead, and do him good for ever. 

But thou, Grod of consolation, who 
knowest our frame, and how little it is that 
we can endure, though it be so much that 
we deserve, be pleased to remember him in 
mercy ; and make his sufferings less, or 
thy grace in him, and his patience and 
21* 



242 catechumen's and 

spiritual strength, greater than all his suf- 
ferings. take the load off him, or lighten 
it to him, or enable him to bear what thou 
art pleased to lay upon him. Lord, all his 
desire is before thee, and his groaning is 
not hid from thee. Regard his affliction 
when thou hearest his cry ; and enter not 
into judgment with him according to the 
desert of his sins ; but according to thy 
mercy remember thou him, for thy good- 
ness' sake in Jesus Christ. Gracious 
Father, sanctify to him what thou hast 
laid upon him, that the present sore evil 
may have a comfortable issue, and work 
for his spiritual and eternal good; and 
the Lord support, and bear him up under 
it, and bring him safe and happy out of it, 
to the rejoicing of thy servant, and the 
glory of thy name ; and however thou 
shalt deal with him, good Lord, sup- 
press all his rejunings at thy dealings, that 
he may not so sin as to charge God fool- 
ishly, who never does the thing but what 
is most righteous and fit to be done; yet 
nothing but what thy servant shall once 



communicant's companion. 243 

have cause to bless and praise tliee for 
doing ; but teach and help him to glorify 
God in the time of his visitation, by his 
humble submission to thy will, his patient 
abiding to thy hand, and his faithful re- 
formation under it, that thou mayest re- 
turn with the visitations of thy love, and 
restore ease and comfort to him, and 
show him the joy of thy salvation, for thy 
own mercy's sake in Jesus Christ. — Amen. 



A Prayer under dangerous Sickness. 
Lord G-od Almighty, and ever blessed, 
in whom we all ever live, and move, and 
are ; we acknowledge it is of thy mercies 
we are not consumed, because thy compas- 
sions fail not. If thou hadst, long before 
this time, cut us off in our sins, and shut 
us up under final despair of thy mercy, yet 
righteous hadst thou been, Lord ; and 
how justly mightest thou now refuse to 
hear us calling upon thee in our prayers, 
as w^e so often have refused to hear thee 
calling upon us by the motions of thy Holy 
Spirit ; but thou art Grod, and not man ; 



244 catechumen's and 

and thy thoughts are not as our thoughts, 
nor thy ways as our ways ; but as the 
heavens are higher than the earth, so are 
thy thoughts and thy ways above ours. 
Thou art our refuge and strength, and pre- 
sent help in time of need and trouble ; in 
which times thou hast commanded us to 
call upon thee, and hast promised to hear 
us, and to give us cause to praise and glo- 
rify thee for thy goodness and mercy to us. 
And now we come to thee, Lord our 
God, in behalf of this thy servant, who lies 
here in a low and distressed state, under 
thy afflicting hand. Look down, Ave be- 
seech thee, mercifully upon him ; and be 
thou gracious and favorable to him, accord- 
ing to the multitude of thy tender mercies 
in Christ Jesus ; though in great danger, 
yet if thou wilt, Lord, thou canst set 
him up, and make him whole ; if thou but 
speak the word, the thing will be done. 
And in submission to thy most wise dis- 
posal of all things, we would beg this 
mercy at thy hands, that thou wouldst be 
pleased to rebuke his disease, to remove 



communicant's companion. 245 

thy stroke, and cause the bitter cup which 
thou hast given him to pass away from 
him, and make him a way to escape out 
of the affliction that is upon him; and to 
this end, that thou wouldst direct to the 
means proper for his help, and command 
a blessing upon them to promote his re- 
covery. Spare him, good Lord, and restore 
him, if it be thy will, that he may have a 
long time to work out his salvation, and 
be more useful in his place, and do more 
good in his generation; or however thou 
shalt be pleased to deal with him as to the 
concerns of his body, which we pray may 
be in a way of gentleness and tender mercy; 
yet Lord, let his soul be precious in thy 
sight; and may this sickness of his body 
be for the health of that immortal better 
part, to promote his everlasting salvation. 
give him a right discernment of the 
things belonging to his peace, before they 
be hid from his eyes ; show him what he is 
to do ; enable him for the doing of it, that 
he may have sound peace with God, through 
Jesus Christ; give him true repentance 



246 catechumen's and 

towards G-od, and right faith in the only 
Saviour of the world ; wash and cleanse 
his soul with the blood of thy Son, and the 
graces of thy Spirit, that it may be deliv- 
ered from all defilements it has contracted 
in this present evil world, and be found 
safe and happy in the hour of death, and 
in the great day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Fit him, Lord, for living or dying, what- 
ever in thy wise and righteous providence 
thou hast designed for him, that it may be 
unto him, Christ to live, and gain to die ; 
that in all, he may find cause to glorify 
thy name, still experiencing thy gracious 
goodness to him in the Son of thy love; if 
thou shalt please yet to release him from 
his bed of languishing, to live longer upon 
earth, that he may live to thee in thy 
fear, and to thy praise, and do thee better 
service, and bring thee greater glory ; or, 
if thou hast determined that this sickness 
shall be a sickness unto death, and this 
visitation his last visitation, prepare him, 
merciful God, by thy grace, for thy 
blessed self; and grant him a safe and 



communicant's companion. 247 

comfortable passage out of this wretched 
life, to an infinitely better, through the 
merits and mediation of thy beloved Son, 
our only Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. 



A Prayer under lingering Sickness. 

Merciful God, thou hast long kept thy 
servant under thy chastening hand ; thou 
hast made him acquainted with grief, and 
his sickness is become even his own familiar 
companion ; yet blessed Lord, grant that 
we may not think it long to wait thy leis- 
ure, who art pleased to wait so long for the 
return of a sinner ; and who art very piti- 
ful and of tender mercy, having kind in- 
tentions, even in thy bitter dispensations ; 
yea, thou chastenest whom thou lovest, and 
scourgest every son whom thou receivest. 
Teach him, gracious Father, to see love in 
thy rod, as well as justice in all thy deal- 
ings, that he may humble himself under 
thy mighty hand, and also think it good 
for him to be afflicted ; and patiently wait 
for the Lord, in hope of good out of this 



248 catechumen's and 

evil; and at last a happy conclusion of the 
long visitation. Blessed be thy name, 
Father of mercies, that thou dost not pour 
out all thy wrath; but in judgment re- 
memberest mercy, to make the affliction 
supportable, giving some ease and relaxa- 
tion from torturing pains, and mingling 
many sweet ingredients with this bitter 
cup. make him so sensible of thy kind- 
ness and love, that he may be not only 
contented, but thankful under thy hand. 
Yet, that his faith may not fail, nor his 
patience be wearied out, return, Lord of 
love, at the last, and give thy servant a 
discharge from this warfare ; and say to 
the affliction, it is enough. Make him 
glad, according to the time wherein thou 
hast afflicted, and wherein he has seen 
so much adversity ; and till thou hast been 
pleased to remember him in such mercj r , 
grant that he may neither despise thy 
chastening, nor faint under thy rebukes ; 
but take all as he ought, and employ the 
time which thou lendest, and improve the 
affliction which thou continuest, as a gra- 



communicant's companion. 249 

cious opportunity for his soul's advantage ; 
that under the decays of the outer man. 
the inner may be renewed day by clay; and 
all that is wanting in his spiritual con- 
cerns may be filled up, and whatever per- 
tains to his everlasting salvation promoted 
and perfected, through the riches of thy 
grace, and the multitude of thy mercies in 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 



Thanksgiving and Prayer after Recovery out 
of a dangerous Sickness. 

God of my life ! in whose hand my 
breath is, and by whom all men do live, and 
have their days here prolonged or shorten- 
ed, I was brought low and ready to think 
that thou wouldst now determine, and 
make an end of my days upon earth ; and 
counted myself so nigh unto death, that I 
expected every day, when the last enemy 
which lay in wait for me, would come and 
seize upon me. 

But thou, Lord, hast graciously disap- 
pointed my fears, and rescued me from his 
22 



250 catechumen's and 

hands; and raised me up to walk again 
before thee in the land of the living. 
Though thou hroughtest me even to the 
mouth of the grave, yet hast thou brought 
me back, that the pit of corruption should 
not swallow me up. And thou that gavest 
me life at first, hast now given it to me 
afresh. And to thee, my God, I desire 
therefore, with all my soul, to give all 
the praise. blessed be my great Pre- 
server, the dear and only Saviour of my 
body, as well as soul; the God of my health, 
my heavenly Physician, my life, and the 
length of my days. that I may live to 
declare the works of the Lord, and set 
forth the honor of his name ! that I may 
not look upon my extended life as an oc- 
casion to the flesh ; to enjoy my liberty 
and pleasure upon earth ; but as an en- 
gagement on my heart, to abound in grati- 
tude, and love and praise, and all faithful 
duty, and cheerful obedience to my gracious 
God. 

For in mercy to my soul, the Lord has 
given me a further allowance of time in 



communicant's companion. 251 

the world, to fill up wliat was wanting in 
ray spiritual estate, and to make a better 
preparation for the heavenly kingdom. 
And upon this account alone it is that our 
life is so valuable, and our time so precious 
here upon earth; that we may have space 
to repent ; and the opportunity to correct 
the errors of our past life, and to secure 
the greatest of all our effects ; to serve our 
Lord with more fidelity ; and to dress up 
ourselves into a greater fitness to meet the 
eternal glorious Bridegroom. that the 
life now renewed to myself, may also be a 
new life to the Lord. That I may not only 
say, I thought I should have died; but 
may conduct myself henceforth as one re- 
stored even from the dead ; and live with 
such dying thoughts, that when at last I 
come to die, I may depart with lively hopes 
of eternal blessedness. 

For it is no total escape, but only a re- 
prieve, that is now granted to me ; and my 
death is a debt to nature, that must be 
paid ; nor is there any avoiding it ; but the 
hands of death, that have been catching at 



252 catechumen's and 

me, will yet certainly take hold of me ; 
and I know not how soon I may be down 
again; and not only threatened, but en- 
closed by the grave ; for that is my house, 
where, after all, I must take up my abode, 
and return to dust. And when I least 
think of it, how suddenly may I be cut 
off, and take my last leave of this world ! 
let me not live then as if I should 
never see death ; nor put it far from me, 
as if it should never be upon me ; nor 
reckon upon any sure standing, or long 
abiding, in such a changeable, transitory 
world,, that is but the house of our pilgrim- 
age, and not of our home nor the place 
of our rest. But when dust I am, and to 
dust I must return, help me, Lord, so to 
remember and consider my death, that I 
may be the better fitted for it, in ail the 
course and conduct of my life ; with such 
wise and holy circumspection, conducting 
myself and ordering all my conversation 
in the world, that when I must close my 
eyes upon this present scene of things, I 
may depart hence, full of peace and hope, 



commitmcaot's companion. 253 

to enjoy far better and more durable goods 
than are here to be found. And for my 
rpcovery, and such health as I enjoy at 
present, let me pay my vows to the Lord: 
and from the ground of the heart, ascribe 
to the God of my salvation all glory, 
thanks, love, and service, throughout the 
whole remainder of my life, and for ever- 
more. Amen. 



Prayer for Preparation to Die. 

Lord, what is our life but a vapor that 
appears for a little time, and then vanish- 
eth away ! even at the longest, how short ; 
and at the strongest, how frail ! and when 
we think ourselves most secure, yet we 
know not what a day may bring forth, nor 
how soon thou mayest come, before we are 
aware, fco call us to our last account. — 
Quickly shall w<? be as water spilt on the 
ground, that cannot be gathered up again; 
quickly snatched away from hence, and our 
place here shall know us no more for ever ; 
our days one after another, are declining, 
22* 



254 catechumen's and 

and we know not how near to us is our 
last day, when our bodies shall be laid in 
the grave, and our souls called to appear 
at the tribunal of God, to receive our stand- 
ing doom, for bliss or woe eternal. Yet, 
good God, how have I lived in this world, 
as if I should never leave it ! how unmind- 
ful of my latter end ! how improvident of 
my time ! how careless of my soul ! how 
negligent in my preparation for my ever- 
lasting condition ! so that thou mayest 
justly bring my last hour as a snare upon 
me, to surprise me in my sins, and my un- 
preparedness to appear before thee. But, 

dear Father of mercies, remember not 
my sins against me ; but remember thy 
own tender mercies, and thy loving kind- 
ness which have been ever of old. re- 
member how short my time is, and spare 
me, that I may recover my strength before 

1 go hence, and be no more seen ; make me 
so wise as to understand and consider my 
latter end, and to remember also myself, 
the shortness of my time ; and teach me so 
to number my days, that I may apply my 



communicant's companion. 255 

heart to true wisdom. Lord, what have I 
to do in this world, but to make ready for 
the world to come. that I may be mind- 
ful of it, and intent upon it, to finish my 
work before I finish my course ! 

In the days of my health, and peace, 
and prosperity, that I may remember, 
and provide for the time of trouble and 
sickness, and death, when the world's en- 
joyment shall shrink away from me, and 
prove utterly unable to support and help 
me. Let me never allow myself in any 
course of living w r herein I would be loth 
or afraid to die ; but let me see my sins 
die before me, that they may never rise up 
in judgment against me, and enable me so 
to die unto them daily that I may not die 
for sin eternally. Instruct me, good Lord, 
and assist me in my great work of prepara- 
tion for a dying hour, that I may not then 
be dreadfully surprised, but meet it with 
courage and comfort. gracious God, 
show me how to do it : quicken me into a 
serious concern about it, and help me with 
good success to perform it, that I may be 



256 CATECHUMENS AN© 

fitted for heaven ere I leave this earth, and 
may have sound peace with God, through 
Jesus Christ, before I depart hence into the 
state, where I must abide for ever. my 
Lord, make me so ready to meet thee at 
thy coming, that thy coming may be the 
matter of my hopes and desires, and joyful 
expectations, that I may love the appear- 
ance of Christ, who is my life, and long 
for that blessed time, when thou wilt put 
an everlasting period to all my sins and 
troubles, and temptations here, and ex- 
change my present being in the body, to 
be ever with the Lord. my God, help 
me so to live, as, at the hour of death, I 
shall wish that I had lived, and so to make 
ready for death all my days, that at my 
last day I may have nothing to do but to 
die, and cheerfully resign my spirit into 
thy gracious hands, my Father, and find 
a merciful admission to thy favor and to 
thy kingdom, for the sake of my only , 
Saviour, Jesus Christ. — Amen. 



communicant's companion. 257 

Prayer under Fears and Doubts of our Spiritual 
Condition. 

Lord, my God, I hope thou hast, of 
thy rich mercy, changed and renewed me 
in some measure, and wrought a good work 
upon me. Bring me out of my natural con- 
dition, into the state of grace and salva- 
tion ; for yet the carnal nature is so pre- 
dominant over me, and many sins so lively 
and strong in me, and still I find the good 
things of the Spirit in so much weakness 
and imperfection upon me, that the sor- 
rows of my heart are enlarged, and my 
soul is disquieted within me. I see too 
frequent cause to question whether I 
really belong to thy children ; whether 
I have known the grace of God in truth, 
and whether I do not deceive myself in 
reckoning upon that which I neither am 
nor have. 

Mine eyes are to thee, God the Lord, 
leave not my soul destitute. From the 
ends of the earth will I cry to thee ; when 
my heart is overwhelmed within me, lead 



258 catechumen's and 

me to the rock that is higher than I. 
Lord ; rebuke me not in thine anger, nei- 
ther chasten me in thy sore displeasure. 
Forsake me not, my God ; be not far 
from me ; make haste to help me, Lord, 
my salvation. Attend to my cry, for I am 
brought very low ; hear me speedily, my 
spirit fails. Save me, God, for the 
waters are come into my soul ; I sink in 
the deep mire, where there is no standing. 
Bring my soul out of prison, that I may 
praise thy name. 

Show me the true state of my soul, 
and make me to know the things that are 
freely given me of God ; and deliver me, 
gracious Lord, from all those offensive 
things that provoke thee to hide thy face 
from me, and that wrap up my soul in 
clouds and darkness, and make me so 
much a stranger to peace and comfort. 
Grant me a clear discovery of the evidences 
of my calling; and seal a comfortable assu- 
rance of thy blessed love in Christ Jesus to 
my soul. thou that didst bid the winds 
and waves, peace, be still, and they obeyed 



communicant's companion. 259 

thee ; settle my discomposed mind, and 
quiet my troubled breast, and bring me to 
see the light of thy countenance, and the 
joy of thy salvation. thou that hast 
power to establish us, be pleased to es- 
tablish my heart with grace, and let rtfe 
be rooted and grounded in the faith, that 
I may not stagger through unbelief, but 
hold the beginning of my confidence stead- 
fast to the end. Eejoice the soul of thy 
servant ; for unto thee, Lord, do I lift 
up my soul ; and let the joy of the Lord 
be my strength, to make me victorious 
over my sins, and always to abound in 
thy work ; never pleased so much with 
any thing as to do the thing pleasing to 
my God, through Jesus Christ. Amen. 



The convinced Sinner's Prayer. 

Hearken to the voice of my cry, my 
King, and my God ; for unto thee will I 
pray; but wherewithal shall I pray before 
the Lord, and bow myself to the most 
high God, whose holy laws I have broken. 



260 catechumen's and 

and whose just displeasure I liaye incur- 
red ! I acknowledge ray transgression, 
.Lord, and my sin is ever "before me. My 
iniquities are gone over my head, as a sore 
"burden ; they are too heavy for me to bear. 
When thou with rebukes dost chasten 
man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty 
to consume away like a moth. My sin 
now has found me out ; and that which 
once I thought too little to be repented, 
seems now too great to be pardoned. I 
flattered myself in my own eyes, till my 
iniquity is found to be hateful. I thought 
I was rich and increased with goods, and 
had need of nothing ; but now I find that 
I am miserable, and wretched, and poor, 
and blind, and naked, so that there is 
nothing but disorder and ruin in my soul. 
I have undone myself: but to work my 
own recovery I have no sufficiency. 
how wicked have I been to allow myself 
in the way and mind which is enmity 
against God ! How ignorant, yet how 
♦confident ! How vile, yet how arrogant ! 
In what need of mercy, yet how unmerci- 






communicant's companion. 261 

ful ; how sinful, yet how impenitent ; how 
bold in the sins where conscience reproves 
me, but how cold in the cause where thy 
Spirit encouraged me ! Oh the spoils, and 
ruins, and desolations which my sins have 
made in my soul ; how have they darken- 
ed my mind, perverted my will, defaced 
my affections, disordered my passions, har- 
dened my heart, and seduced it away from 
my most good and ever-blessed God, to 
cleave unto the things displeasing in thy 
sight, and destructive to my soul ! 

There is no hiding any thing from thee, 
the infinite God, who fillest heaven and 
earth. What shall I say unto thee, Lord ? 
wo is me that I have done so foolishly 
and wickedly! whither shall I betake my- 
self when against thee, Lord, I have so 
sinned, and done such evil in thy sight ! 
Thou art the offended Majesty, out of 
whose reach I cannot escape, and under 
whose judgments I can never be able to 
bear up. A guilty conscience should make 
me afraid to come unto thee ; yet I know 
there is nothing but certain destruction to 
23 



282 catechumen's and 

keep away from thee ; and though there 
i$ no peace to the wicked so continuing, 
yet if the wicked forsake his way, and the 
unrighteous man his thoughts, and return 
to the Lord, thy promise, then, God, is 
to have mercy upon him, and abundantly 
to pardon. I have none to seek to for a 
remedy against my sins, but unto the just 
and holy God, against whom I have griev- 
ously sinned ; and how shall I stand in 
thy sight, Lord, who hatest and con- 
demnest the works of darkness, and the 
workers of iniquity, whose wrath against 
gin burns as deep as hell, and as long as 
^ernity. 

I submit, great Lord, to thy offended 
Majesty ! and I have no hopeful prospect, 
looking any way, but to thy Almighty 
power, thy superabounding grace, and thy 
ever-enduring mercy, who, at the lowest, 
can raise, and, at the worst art able to 
relieve us. Nothing is too hard for thee 
to effect ; the most wretched case is not past 
thy cure ; though our sins be as scarlet, 
thou canst make them as white as snow ; 



communicant's companion. 2 S3 

though they be red like crimson, thou 
canst make them as wool ; yea, thou hast 
found a ransom, and laid help upon one 
that is mighty, and able to save to the 
uttermost all that come to God through 
Mm. If I had not sinned, j had no need 
of such a Kedeemer; but they were sin- 
ners whom he came to save ; and, therefore, 
to the Lord Jesus I look, with the desire 
of my soul, to find a healing for this sin- 
ful soul of mine, in the precious blood of 
his cross. good God ! when my sins cry 
to thee for vengeance, be thou pleased to 
hear his blood and merits pleading and 
interceding for my soul ; and speaking 
better things in my behalf than I am able 
to do for myself, in all my prayers. 

Behold, merciful God, a miserable 
object on which to glorify thy power and 
compassion, thy wonderful work, and great 
salvation ! look upon me in my blood, 
and bid me live. Speak death to my sins, 
that my soul may live, and for ever bless 
my name. Turn away thy face from my 
sin,s, and blot out all my iniquities. For 



264 catechumen's and 

thy name's sake, Lord, pardon my sin, 
for it is great ; too great for any but the 
God of infinite goodness and love ever to 
discharge me from. magnify thy all- 
sufficiency to "help me out in this my wo- 
ful misery. Mate the happy experiment 
upon my poor soul, how great things 
worthy of God thou canst do ; that -where 
sin hath abounded, thy grace may much 
more abound. Eeturn, Lord, deliver 
my soul ; save me for thy mercy's sake ; 
. save me from the guilt and filth, from the 
power and curse of all my sins. And 
thou, Lord, that knowest how to deliver, 
make me some way to escape out of the 
desperate straits and perplexities into 
which my sins have cast me, that my ini- 
quities may not hang upon me to be my 
ruin ; but that they be taken away and 
forgiven, and washed out with the blood 
of Jesus Christ. turn thou me, Lord 
God of my salvation, and I shall be turned 
from my sins, and from this present evil 
world, more effectually and fully to thy 
blessed self. sive me such conviction 



communicant's companion. 265 

as may end in sound conversion ; and let 
me experience in myself that grace of God 
which bringeth salvation. I want thy 
grace, Lord ; and want it I shall for 
ever, if thou be not pleased to look gra- 
ciously upon me in my blessed Eedeemer. 
God of all grace, that keepest mercy for 
thousands, hast thou not a blessing for 
me ? a spiritual, heavenly blessing ! For 
thy dear Son, my only Saviour's sake, let 
me find such grace in thy sight. And 
whatever I want, deny me not that 
saving grace, which, though a precious 
treasure that I am bold to ask, yet it is 
not too great or good for the God infinite- 
ly great and good to give. do that 
work of thy grace thoroughly upon my 
heart, for which I may have cause to glo- 
rify thy name for evermore. Amen. 



•3 Prayer for the Enlargement and Prosperity 
of the Church. 
God of all grace, who hast called out 
of this present evil world a chosen genera- 
tion to know thy will, to seek thy face, to 
23* 



266 catechumen's and 

follow thy ways, and to inherit thy glory ; 
bless all tliy people every where, and cause 
tliy face to sliine upon tliem ; and so add 
to their number, that all the ends of the 
earth may remember themselves and turn 
to the Lord, and see the salvation of our 
God. Call home to thee again thy ancient 
people the Jews ; and take the veil off their 
hearts, that they may see and own their 
Messiah ; and let that blood of Christ, 
which they imprecated upon their heads, 
to their confusion, light on their hearts, 
to their conversion. Bring in the fullness 
df the Gentiles, and give thy Son the hea- 
then for his inheritance, and the utmost 
parts of the earth for his possession. 
give thy gospel a free and effectual passage 
throughout the world, that it may be fur- 
ther propagated where it has not yet reach- 
ed, and the joyful sound may be heard 
even where Christ is not yet named ; and 
give such good success to it, where it shines 
already, that all who have received it may 
sincerely obey it ; and every one who names 
the name of Christ, may depart from ini- 



communicant's companion. 267 

quity ; and let their Hglit shine "before men, 
to the glory of our heavenly Father, and to 
the adorning of thy doctrine, and advan- 
cing the religion of God our Saviour. 

Convince and convert both the professed 
enemies of Christ, and also the enemies of 
his own house. show unto them all the 
light of thy truth, that they may know it, 
as it is in Jesus, and expel their prejudi- 
ces, together with their darkness ; and so 
bring them to receive thy truth in the love 
of it, that they may he saved. O that the 
true religion of our Lord Jesus may pre- 
vail powerfully, and gain more converts 
daily throughout the world ; that Jerusa- 
lem may be the joy and praise of the whole 
earth ; and that we may see the good of it 
all the days of our life ! and O that all 
the errors, both in judgment and practice, 
the heresies of doctrine, and the ungod- 
liness of life, may be more and more ex- 
posed and confounded, and suppressed, till 
they be utterly abolished ! that the wick- 
edness of the wicked, being under rebuke 
and disgrace, may come to an end : and 



268 



CATECHUMENS GUIDE. 



that truth, and peace, and holiness, may 
have still more credit and authority, and 
reign and flourish to the ends of the earth, 
through the abundant grace of our Lord 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 



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ENGLISH LITURGY, for the use of Evangelical 
Lutheran Churches in the United States. Bound in 
various styles and sizes. 

The (Pennsylvania Synod's) German LITURGY— 8vo, 
bound in various styles, can also be obtained as above. 

ENGLISH LUTHERAN HYMN-BOOK. 

721*10.— SMALLEST SIZE— IN PRESS. 

ENGLISH LUTHERAN HYMN-BOOS, 
24mo.— MEDIUM SIZE. 

This edition of the Hymn-Book is now offered at the 
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D3 3 Fine gilt CLJ1S PS can be put on any of the 
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ENGLISH LUTHERAN HYMN-BOOK, 
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This is an entirely new book, recently published, 
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equal to any other Hymn-book published in this country, 
and worthy the patronage of our whole Lutheran mem- 
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edition on fine white paper, to be bound in the cheaper 
styles ; another on superfine white paper, for the finer 
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GERMAN LUTHERAN HYMN-BOOKS. 

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York or Union edition, 18mo, roan embossed. 

ENG. LUTH. SUNDAY-SCHOOL HYMN-BOOK:. 

With a view to the more extensive use of this Hymn- 
book in our Sunday Schools, the prices have been much 
reduced, and they are now offered at a very small ad- 
vance on the prime cost ; and as there is now no reason 
why it should not be used altogether in our Sunday 
Schools, (for the book is as well adapted for the purpose 
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tendents and Teachers will make an effort to introduce 
it generally. They are bound in the following styles : 
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(GERMAN LUTH. SUNDAY-SCHOOL HYMN-BOOK. 

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ENGLISH LUTHERAN CATECHISMS. 

LUTHER'S SMALLER CATECHlSxM— Gen. Synod's 
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LUTHER'S SHORTER CATECHISM, Illustrated by 
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D. D., 18mo, half sheep or cloth. 



THE SERIAL CATECHISM— Or Progressive (Re- 
ligious) Instructor for Children, prepared with 
a special view to Infant and Sunday Schools, in 
three numbers, 24mo. Numbers ONE and TWO 
are now ready. They can be had separately or 
bound together. 

GERMAN LUTHERAN CATECHISM. 

DR. LUTHER'S KLEINER CATECHISMUS— West 

Pennsylvania Synod's new and improved edition, 
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Confession, &c, 18mo, half sheep. 



LUTHERAN PRAYER BOOK— For the use of Fam- 
ilies and Individuals, with Introductory Remarks on 
Family Prayer, together with A Selection of 176 
Hymns, with Music or Tunes adapted to them. By 
B." Kurtz, D. D. 

"This PRAYER BOOK has been prepared mainly 
for the English portion of the Lutheran Church, yet it 
is believed nothing will be found in it to prevent its free 
use in any Protestant Christian family. In the German 
language we are abundantly supplied with such helps; 
but in English, a general and complete Prayer Book, 
adapted to daily devotion, to special occasions, and to 
every emergency, has thus far remained a disideratum, 
which it has been our aim to supply. It is therefore 
hoped that the Lutheran Church especially, will en- 
courage this enterprise.'" — Extract from the Author's 
Preface. 

It is a large duodecimo volume, of nearly 500 pages, 
printed on large, clear type, and fine white paper, and 
bound in various styles. The following is a synopsis of 
the contents : 

Introduction — Prayer in all its Forms. 

Morning and Evening Prayers, with Scripture (read- 
ing) Lessons for every day for six weeks. 

Prayers for Particular Days. 

Occasional Prayers and Thanksgivings. 



Prayers before and after meals. 

Morning and Evening Prayers for Children for one 
week. 

Occasional Prayers for Children. 
Morning and Evening Prayers for Little Children. 
WHY ARE YOU A LUTHERAN? or a Series of Dis- 
sertations, explanatory of the Doctrines, Govern- 
ment, Discipline, Liturgical Economy, Distinctive 
Traits, &.c, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in 
the United States. By B. Kurtz, D. D., with an 
introduction by John G. Morris, D. D., 12mo. 
"We believe that the extensive circulation and perusal 
of this publication ( Why are You a Lutheran ?) among 
our people, will be the means of rectifying many mis- 
takes and diffusing correct information in regard to 
Lutheranism; and that its general distribution will also 
tend to the prevention and removal of unfounded preju- 
dices, in the case of many candid and serious persons of 
other denominations, who are willing to investigate be- 
fore they censure and condemn." 

The above is an extract from a Recommendation signed 
by many of our most eminent ministers, such as Dr. S. 
S. Schmucker, Dr. Reynolds, Dr Krauth, Dr. Bach- 
man, Dr. Morris, Dr. H. N. Pohlman, Dr. S. W. Harkey 
the late Dr. E. Keller, Revs. P. Rizer, W. A. Passa- 
vant, J. Z. Senderling, S. R. Boyer, F. R. Anspach, 
John Heck, A. Babb, J. C. Hope, A. H. Lochman, &c, 
&.c. It is bound in various styles, and sold at reduced 
prices. 

TREATISE ON PRAYER IN ALL ITS FORMS— 
Secret, Social, Ejaculatory, in Public and in the 
Family ; and the Training of Children. The former 
arranged in Catechetical order, and the latter based 
on Prov. xxii, 6 — " Train up a Child in the way he 
should go, and when he is old he will not depart 
from it." By B. Kurtz, D. D.— 18mo. cloth, with a 
portrait of the author. 
ELEMENTS OF POPULAR THEOLOGY — With 
special reference to the Doctrines of the Reforma- 
tion, as avowed before the Diet at Augsburg, in 



6 

MDXXX, by S. S. Schmucker, D. D ,8vo. sheep— 
full edition. 

Do. do. do. 12mo, cloth — Luth. edition. 
Do. do. do. " sheep, or cloth. 

Abridged and adapted to use in different denominations* 
THE AMERICAN LUTHERAN CHURCH— Histor- 
ically, Doctrinally and Practically Delineated in 
several occassional Discourses, by S. S. Schmucker, 
D. D , 12mo, cloth, and extra gilt. 
SCHMUCKER ON THE REFORMATION— 18mo., 

cloth. 
SCHMUCKER'S PORTRAITURE OF LUTHER- 

ANISM— 18mo. cloth. 
THE LIFE OF JOHN ARNDT— Author of the Work 
on " True Christianity." By John G, Morris, D. 
D. 18mo., cloth, with a correct portrait of Arndt. 
This work is a biography of one of the ablest men 
and most distinguished servants of God the world ever 
produced, and is now offered for the first time in the 
English language. It should be read by every Lutheran. 
EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPELS— Luke and John, 
designed for the use of Families, Bible Classes and 
Sunday Schools. By Rev J. G. Morris, D. D. 
and Rev. Charles A Smith, D. D., T2mo, cloth. 
THE CHARACTER AND VALUE OF AN EVAN- 
GELICAL MINISTRY, and the Duty of the 
Church in Regard to it. By Rev. Simeon W. Har- 
key, D. D., Professor of Theology in Illinois State 
University. 
a The writer of this work believes that the greatest 
want, as well as the greatest hope and the greatest bless- 
ing of this country and of the world, is a faithful and 
well qualified Evangelical Ministry. So deeply is he 
convinced of this, that he has solemnly consecrated the 
remainder of his life, be it worth much or little, to the 
great work of increasing the number of true ministers 
of Christ. * * * * My object has been to do good — to stir 
up ' the pure minds ' of ministers and people * by way 
of remembrance,' and to come to the help of my brethren 
who are bearing ' the burden and heat of the day ' in the 
master's vineyard. * * * # 



11 1 would commend the book to the attention of all 
Christians, and especially to my beloved brethren in the 
ministry, and hope that they may find great benefit by 
circulating it freely among the people of their churches/' 
Extract from the Author's Preface. 

LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE 

APOSTLE TO THE HEBREWS,— By Rev. J. 

A. Seiss, A. M. 8vo, cloth. 

This is a valuable work, highly recommended by several 

of our Synods and most eminent Clergymen. There are 

but few left of the edition. 

LIFE OF MARTIN LUTHER— Being a comprehen- 
sive, though condensed and correct History of the 
Life and Stupendous Achievements of the Great 
Reformer. By Rev. R. Weiser. 12mo — new edition, 
revised and corrected. Full sheep or cloth, with a 
correct ^portrait of Luther — Cloth, gilt, illustrated 
with fifteen fine engravings, representing the most 
important events in Luther's life and history. 

THE LIFE OF LUTHER— With Special Reference 
to its Earlier Periods and the opening Scenes of the 
Reformation. By Barnas Sears, D. D. This is an 
original work; with three fine steel engravings, and 
twenty-three wood engravings, all finished in the 
highest style of the art — 12mo, cloth. 

A DEFENCE OF LUTHER AND THE REFOR- 
MATION — By John Bachman, D. D., LL. D., 
against the Charges of John Bellinger, M. D., and 
others ; to which are appended various Communi- 
cations of other Protestant and Roman Catholic 
writers who engaged in the controversy. Large 
iSmo, cloth. 

MEMOIR OF REV. WALTER GUNN, Late Mis- 
sionary in India from the Evan. Lutheran Church 
in the United States, by G. A. Lintner, D. D., 
18mo, cloth. 

ILLUSTRATIONS OF FAITH — Drawn from the 
Word of God. By Rev. Charles Adam Smith, D. 

D., 18mo, cloth. 



8 

A MANUAL OF CHRISTIAN BAPTISM, INFANT 
BAPTISM, AND THE MODE,— By Rev. Thomas 
Lape, A. M. Fifth edition, corrected and en- 
larged — 18mo. 
" This is a brief, yet comprehensive work in favor of 
Infant Baptism, and presents the whole controversy, in 
so simple a form and clear a light, that all who read can 
understand it.'' 

DISCIPLINE, ARTICLES OF FAITH AND SY- 
NODICAL CONSTITUTION, AS ADOPTED 
BY THE EVAN. LUTH. SYNOD OF SOUTH 
CAPcOLINA, and adjacent States; to which is 
added a Liturgy, and some forms of Prayer for fam- 
ilies and individuals, 12mo, cloth. 
THE UNALTERED AUGSBURG CONFESSION— 
and the three Chief Symbols of the Christian 
Church, with Historical Introductions and Critical 
and Explanatory Notes. By Christian Heinrich 
Schott, carefully translated from the German. 
12mo, cloth. 
THE SAME— Abridged. 18mo, paper. 
THEOLOGICAL SKETCH BOOK, or Skeletons of 

Sermons, 2 vols. 8vo, cloth. 
HAZEL1US' CHURCH HISTORY, vol. 1, 12mo, sheep 
or cloth. 
A selection of the most celebrated SERMONS of 
MARTIN LUTHER and JOHN CALVIN, never be- 
fore published in the United States, to which is prefixed 
a Biographical Plistory of their lives. 12mo, cloth. 
LUTHER'S COMMENTARY ON SAINT PAUL'S 
EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS, to which is 
prefixed Tischer's Life of Luther ; also, a Sketch of 
the Life of Zuingle. 8vo, sheep. 
THE CHILDREN OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, 

by Rev. T. Stork, D. D., 12mo, cloth. 
THE SEPULCHRES OF OUR DEPARTED, by Rev. 
F. R. Anspach, A. M. 12mo, cloth. 

ENGLISH LUTHERAN ALMANAC, 

Containing valuable statistical and general informa- 
tion of the Church ; also a complete list of all the Lutheran 



ministers in the United States, with their post office address, 
carefully corrected, — published annually. 

BLANK CERTIFICATES OF 

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STANDARD THEOLOGICAL 

AND VALUABLE 

MISCELLANEOUS BOOKS. 



THE COMPLETE WORKS OF JAMES ARMINIUS, 
D« D., formerly Professor of Divinity in the Uni- 
versity of Leyden. Translated from the Latin, with a 
sketch of the Life of the Author. 
It may not be generally known that only two of the 
three volumes of the Works of Arminius have ever been 
published in the English language, viz : The edition 
published in 1825, by James Nichols, London — the third 
volume either never having been translated, or if it was, 
never re-published ; it remains for an American trans- 
lator to render the third volume into English, and for an 
American publishing house to first offer, in the English 
tongue, the Complete Works of the Great Expounder of 
the Arminian System. 

The competency of the American translator for his 
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who are well and favorably known by the literary and 
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The works of Arminius make three handsome octavo 
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10 

THE COMPREHENSIVE COMMENTARY ON 
THE BIBLE — Containing Scott's Marginal References; 
Matt. Henry's Commentary ; Practical Observations of 
Rev. Thomas Scott, D. D., with extensive Explanatory, 
Critical and Philological Notes, selected from Scott, 
Doddridge, Gill, Adam Clarke, Patrick, Poole, Lowth, 
Burder, Harmer, Calmet, Stuart, Robinson, Bush, Ro- 
senmueller, Bloomfield, and many other writers on the 
Scriptures. The whole designed to be a Digest and 
combination of the advantages of the best Bible Commen- 
taries, embracing all that is valuable in Henry, Scott, 
Doddridge, fyc. 8{c. In six volumes super royal octavo, 
bound in full, strong sheep. 

CLARKE'S COMPLETE COMMENTARY ON THE 
OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT— 4 vols., super 
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PULPIT CYCLOPEDIA AND MINISTER'S COM- 
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of Sermons, and 82 Essays on various subjects, 8vo, 
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FIVE HUNDRED SKETCHES AND SKELETONS 
OF SERMONS, suited for all occasions, 8vo, cloth. 
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF JOSEPHUS, with 

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Definitions of all Religious Terms; an impartial 
account of the principal Religious Denominations, 
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on all religious subjects, and Companion to the 
Bible, forming a cheap and compact Library of 
Religious Knowledge — 1 vol. superroyal octavo, 
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NEANDER'S GENERAL HISTORY OF THE 
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MOSHEIM'S CHURCH HISTORY— 8vo. sheep. 



11 

WEST'S COMPLETE ANALYSIS OF THE BIBLE, 
large 8vo, sheep. 

SIMMONS' SCRIPTURAL MANUAL, alphabetically 
and systematically arranged, designed to facilitate 
the finding of Proof Texts. 

JESUS' WITNESSES, or the « Great Salvation Ex- 
emplified." 12mo, sheep. 

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF THOMAS DICK, 
LL. D. — Illustrated with numerous engravings, £ 
vols., 8vo, sheep. 

PLUTARCH'S LIVES— 8vo, sheep. 

THE SPECTATOR— By Addison, 8vo, sheep. 

ROLLIN'S ANCIENT HISTORY— 2 vols., 8vo, sheep. 

LIVES AND TIMES OF THE MOST DISTIN- 
GUISHED CHRISTIAN FATHERS, to the close 
of the 3d century, 8vo, sheep. 

GAILLARD'S CHURCH HISTORY— 339 pages, 8vo, 
stiff paper cover. 

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, with engravings, 18mo, 
cloth. 

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ROR — A Juvenile Book, with 64 engravings, 18mo, 
cloth. 

DODDRIDGE'S RISE AND PROGRESS— 32n*o, 
cloth. 

KEMPIS' CHRISTIAN'S PATTERN— 32mo, cloth. 

MASON ON SELF-KNOWLEDGE— 32mo, cloth. 

MRS. ROWE'S DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES OF 
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YOUNG AMERICAN, or Book of Government and 
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12 

To Superintendents and Teachers of 
Sunday Schools. 

The undersigned respectfully announces 
tliat lie lias been appointed Agent for the 
sale of the Publications of the 

MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY, 

And is prepared to furnish them at lowest catalogue prices. 

These publications are entirely different from those 
published by any other S. S. Society, and are now so 
well and favorably known throughout the country, that 
no special recommendation is deemed necessary. 

The whole number of hound volumes of this Society 
is about 630, varying in price from 7 to 45 cents. They 
publish 20 different volumes of Scripture Question Books, 
for Sabbath Schools, and a large number of Catechismi 
for Infant Schools. 

The Society has put up six selected Libraries, viz : 

Little Boys- and Girls 9 Library — 25 vols. 

The Infant Library — 40 vols. 

The Sabbath School Library— 100 vols. 

The Family Library — 25 vols. 

The Children's Library — 100 vols. 

The Youths' 1 Library — 170 vols. 

The prices of these Sabbath School publications are 
fully as low if not lower than any other similar books 
published in the country, and are regarded as unexcep- 
tionable on the score of sectarianism. 

A full assortment will always be kept on hand and for 
sale by the undersigned — terms cash. 

P. S. — Full descriptive Catalogues, with the price an- 
nexed to each book, will be furnished gratis, when ap- 
plied for. 



13 

A general assortment of School, Classical, Scientific, 
Medical, Theological, Juvenile and Miscellaneous BOOKS, 
together with a large stock of PAPER and STATION- 
ERY of all kinds, constantly for sale at the lowest 
wholesale prices. The attention of country dealers is 
particularly invited. 

t\ BOOKS of all kinds can now be sent per mail at 
the rate of one cent per oz, if the postage is pre-paid. 

Theological, and Miscellaneous BOOKS in every depart- 
ment of literature, science and art, will be supplied at 
the lowest prices, and forwarded per mail, if the order is 
addressed (with the cash) to. 

T. NEWTON KU1TZ, 

3STo« 151 Pratt street, Baltimore, Bid. 



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